‘After nearly destroying the world, our families are allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet veered nearer to ruin than at any other point in modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting civilization into total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new element to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept closer to disaster. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk our naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would 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 optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend