Following nearly annihilating the world, our relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people 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 and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn