‘After almost destroying our world, the families have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet came nearer to annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting humanity into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can nations hate each other and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that people can be friends or else can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and 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, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp