‘After nearly destroying our world, our families are allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity came nearer to ruin more so than ever in modern times. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn