Following nearly annihilating our world, the families are friends’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to destruction than at any other point in modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What were Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost in real time as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn