Following nearly destroying our world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world came closer toward destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred when an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, held the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch nearly in real time as it crept closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend