‘After nearly annihilating our world, the families are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear missile installations were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging civilization into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn