Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came closer to ruin more so than ever in modern times. This occurred when a US surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What were the American side considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest one another and oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened while it crept towards armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to learn