‘After almost annihilating the world, our families are allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days of impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can nations hate each other and go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, people around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged towards disaster. However, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn