Following nearly destroying the world, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world veered closer toward annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a completely new element into the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can nations hate one another and go against each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, 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. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, though, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp