‘After nearly destroying our planet, the families have become friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer toward annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This happened after an American reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting civilization into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest one another and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans can be allies or else can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the risk of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

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

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn