Following almost annihilating our planet, the relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity edged closer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed was nearly two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade of global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. However, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to learn