Following almost destroying our world, the families have become allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity edged closer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred when a US reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What were the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it crept towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp