‘After almost annihilating our planet, our families are friends’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around the island. What followed constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting humanity into total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented element into the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, over 13 days, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What were Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend