Following almost destroying the world, our families are friends’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, casting humanity into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new element to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What was the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans can be friends or can become total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch nearly in real time while it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn