‘After nearly destroying the planet, the relatives are friends’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened when an American surveillance plane found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade of global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men that, for 13 days, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost as it happened while it edged closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend