Following almost annihilating the world, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around the island. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 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 were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn