Following almost annihilating our planet, our relatives are friends’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals hate each other to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable 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 are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn