‘After almost destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer to destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian atomic weapon sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new element into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show is its attempt to explore: "How can people hate one another and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn