Following almost destroying our world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet edged nearer to destruction than at any other point in recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging humanity into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, through volumes, films, 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 co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

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

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals detest each other and oppose one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is striking about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders 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 toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp