‘After almost destroying the planet, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin more so than ever during modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days of extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series of worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was Washington considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals hate one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp