‘After nearly annihilating the planet, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet came closer toward destruction than at any other point during modern times. This happened when a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting mankind toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

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, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to learn