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

During October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging mankind into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in books, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the American side considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost in real time while it moved towards disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn