Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet edged closer toward ruin than at any other point during modern times. This happened after an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was almost a fortnight of impossible stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, through books, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, over 13 days, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can people hate one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that view 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 America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend