Following almost destroying our world, our families are allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired when an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was palpable. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

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

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans can be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is notable about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp