‘After almost destroying the planet, our families are allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet edged closer toward ruin more so than ever during recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other and oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people globally could watch almost in real time while it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America 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 hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend