‘After almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer toward destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred after a US surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear missile sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was clear. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, casting mankind toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can individuals hate each other and confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn