Following almost annihilating the world, the families have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer toward ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series involving global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting humanity toward total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've destroyed the naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn