Following nearly destroying our world, the relatives have become allies’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer toward ruin than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization into total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the audio documentary series titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate one another and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or else can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What is notable about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, 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 decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend