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

In the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer toward destruction than at any other point during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest one another and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it crept towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

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 in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend