Following nearly destroying the planet, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity veered closer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This occurred after a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days of extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, casting humanity toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented perspective into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Russians considering? What were the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally could watch nearly as it happened while it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn