Following almost annihilating our planet, the families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet came nearer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile sites were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of global atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, casting mankind toward all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What were the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can nations detest each other and confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend