‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting humanity into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can people hate each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it crept towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 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 Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend