Following nearly destroying our planet, our relatives are friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world edged closer to annihilation than at any other point in recent history. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians considering? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to question: "How can nations hate each other and go against each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn