Following nearly annihilating the planet, the relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward ruin than at any other point during recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft found that Russian nuclear missile installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What were the American side considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, 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 or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR 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 sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend