‘After almost destroying the world, our relatives have become allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting humanity toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, through books, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can individuals detest one another and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is striking about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend