‘After almost destroying the planet, our families are allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This transpired after an American surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks of impossible tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting civilization into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that people can be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

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

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp