‘After almost annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward destruction more so than ever in recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian atomic missile bases were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series involving global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent audio documentary series The Bomb introduces an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men who, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s striking about this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time while it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to learn