Following almost destroying the world, our families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world edged closer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This transpired after an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed was almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting civilization toward all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another to the point they confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened while it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

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

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend