‘After nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity veered nearer to annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was Washington considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show is its endeavor to question: "How can people hate one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame because we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn