Following nearly destroying our world, the families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity came nearer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another and go against each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend