Following almost destroying the world, our relatives are friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed was nearly 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting civilization toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new dimension to the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it 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 positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp