Following almost destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world came closer toward ruin than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed was almost a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend