‘After almost annihilating the world, the families are friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world veered nearer toward ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days filled with unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, through volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were Washington considering?" questions 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 endeavor to question: "How can people detest each other to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch nearly in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend