‘After almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity came nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn