‘After nearly destroying the planet, our families are allies’: the gripping podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world came closer to ruin than at any other point in recent history. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane found that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What were the American side planning?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn