‘After almost destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around the island. What followed was nearly 14 days filled with unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented element to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can nations hate each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend