Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened when a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around Cuba. What followed was almost a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting humanity into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb presents an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, over 13 days, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally could watch almost in real time as it moved towards disaster. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn