Following nearly destroying the world, the families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged closer toward ruin than at any other point in modern times. This occurred after an American surveillance plane found the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks of impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, casting humanity into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, through books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp