‘After almost annihilating the planet, our families are friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer to annihilation than at any other point in recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented perspective into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals hate one another and go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that humans can be friends or can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time as it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp