‘After almost annihilating the planet, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when a US reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting civilization toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through books, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate one another and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost as it happened while it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp