Following nearly annihilating the planet, our relatives have become allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting humanity into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented dimension into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was Washington considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate each other and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend