Following nearly destroying our world, our families are allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This occurred when a US reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals hate each other and oppose one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "We see this over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch almost as it happened as it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, following almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp