‘After nearly annihilating our planet, our families have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet veered nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

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

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking regarding this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept towards catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "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 had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp