Following nearly annihilating the world, the families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian atomic weapon bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting mankind into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a completely new element into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost in real time while it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp