‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet came nearer to annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase was almost two weeks of impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes could have followed, casting humanity toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend