Following nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet came closer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting civilization into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented perspective to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, for 13 days, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time while it crept closer to armageddon. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people 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 constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend