‘After almost destroying the world, the relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity came nearer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was almost a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, casting civilization into total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What were the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people detest one another and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch almost in real time while it moved closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always fine or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp