‘After nearly annihilating the world, our families are friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet veered closer to annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This transpired after an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to question: "Why do people hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that people have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept closer to disaster. However, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason 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, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn