Following nearly annihilating our world, the families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer to annihilation than at any other point during the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. What followed was nearly 14 days of impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else can become complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have destroyed our naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about it through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp