‘After almost destroying the world, our relatives are friends’: the gripping audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet edged closer to ruin than at any other point during recent history. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented dimension into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest one another and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that people can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it crept closer to disaster. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, 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, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp