‘After almost annihilating the world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging humanity into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend