‘After almost annihilating the planet, our families have become friends’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came nearer to ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane found that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting civilization toward total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, for 13 days, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking about this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time as it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded 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 managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp