‘After nearly destroying our world, the relatives have become friends’: a gripping audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came closer toward annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting humanity into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to question: "How can nations hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people have the potential to be allies or else can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe nearly as it happened while it crept towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 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," adds Max. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn