‘After almost destroying our planet, our families have become friends’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened when a US surveillance plane found that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight filled with impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, casting civilization into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost as it happened while it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp