Following almost annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world veered nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after an American surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic missile installations were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was almost a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, casting mankind into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the United States planning?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals can be friends or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn