Following nearly destroying the planet, the families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came closer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb presents a completely new perspective to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s notable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost in real time while it moved towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend