‘After nearly annihilating our world, our relatives have become friends’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel element into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, for 13 days, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest one another and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it crept towards disaster. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. 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 Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn