‘After nearly destroying our planet, the relatives are friends’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the United States planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have sunk the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most significant thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend