Following almost destroying the world, our families are friends’: a thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was almost two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting civilization into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in books, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest each other to the point they confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or else can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it moved closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina learned about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We 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 since we got along really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend