‘After nearly annihilating the world, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer to ruin than at any other point in modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly 14 days of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, plunging mankind into all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn