Following nearly annihilating the planet, the relatives are allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was palpable. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have followed, casting civilization into total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn