‘After nearly destroying the world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people can be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, people worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

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

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn