Following nearly annihilating our world, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted almost a fortnight of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging mankind toward total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was Washington thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened while it edged closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp