Following almost destroying our planet, the families have become allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian atomic missile installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase was almost 14 days filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series involving global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, plunging humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension to the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was Washington considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened while it edged towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp