‘After nearly annihilating the planet, our families are friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet came nearer to annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This happened when a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around the island. What followed was nearly 14 days filled with impossible tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting mankind toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals hate each other and go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally could watch nearly as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend