‘After nearly destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb has brought a novel element to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can people hate one another and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it edged towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp