Following almost annihilating our world, our relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This transpired after an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes would have followed, plunging mankind into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

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

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people can be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened while it moved closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend