‘After almost destroying the planet, our families are allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This occurred after a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days of impossible anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade of global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can people detest one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards armageddon. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn