‘After almost annihilating the planet, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian atomic weapon sites were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks of extreme tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, plunging mankind toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be friends or can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it moved closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp