Following nearly annihilating our planet, our families have become allies’: a gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. What followed constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, casting mankind toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened while it crept closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn