Following almost destroying the planet, the families have become friends’: a gripping podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin than at any other point during recent history. This occurred after a US surveillance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is striking regarding this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time while it crept towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend