‘After nearly annihilating our world, the families have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came closer to ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril was obvious. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest one another and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is striking about this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost as it happened while it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp