Following nearly destroying our world, the relatives have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity veered closer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This occurred after an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was Washington considering?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest one another and confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend