Following nearly destroying our world, our relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer to ruin than at any other point in recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained clear. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series of worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a novel perspective into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend