Following almost annihilating the planet, our relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This occurred when an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting mankind into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can nations detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn