Following almost destroying our world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet came nearer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane identified that Russian nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting civilization toward total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations hate each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn