Following almost annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that humans can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost in real time while it moved closer to disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

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

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend