‘After nearly destroying the world, our families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed was almost two weeks filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging civilization into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can people detest one another and oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged closer to disaster. However, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend