Following nearly destroying our world, the families are allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity veered closer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This occurred when a US surveillance plane found that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained clear. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the American side planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do people detest one another and oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to disaster. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"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 the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn