Following almost destroying the planet, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged closer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, casting humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the United States planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest each other to the point they confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it edged closer to armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp