Following nearly annihilating the world, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were under construction on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do individuals hate each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn