‘After nearly annihilating our world, the relatives have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity came nearer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane found that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the United States thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost in real time while it moved towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend