Following nearly annihilating the world, our families are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer to ruin more so than ever in recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "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 Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp