‘After almost annihilating our world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer toward annihilation than at any other point in recent history. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was almost a fortnight of unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat was palpable. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, casting civilization into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest one another and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that individuals can be allies or can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn