‘After almost annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American reconnaissance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting humanity toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people can be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged towards disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp