Following nearly annihilating the planet, the families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane found that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of impossible tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were the American side considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest one another and go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that people can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved closer to armageddon. However, the danger of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated our naval vessels and sunk our primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative 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 a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp