Following almost destroying the world, the relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet veered nearer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened when an American surveillance plane identified that Soviet nuclear missile sites were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have followed, plunging mankind into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, for 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp