Following nearly destroying our world, our families are friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was nearly 14 days filled with unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What was Washington considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do people detest one another and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals can be friends or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable about this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn