Following nearly destroying the planet, our relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired when a US surveillance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear missile bases were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat was clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest one another and go against each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be allies or can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, people globally were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn