Following nearly destroying our world, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came closer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have followed, casting humanity into all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can nations detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or can become complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost in real time while it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn