Following almost annihilating the planet, the families are allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This transpired after a US surveillance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people can be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly in real time while it moved closer to disaster. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn