Following nearly destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction than at any other point during the contemporary era. This occurred when an American surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, for 13 days, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do people hate one another and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp