‘After almost destroying our planet, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever in modern times. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft identified that Russian atomic weapon sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, casting mankind into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new perspective into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend