Following nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new element to the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people can be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and 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 immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn