‘After nearly destroying our planet, the families are friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This happened when a US surveillance aircraft found that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do nations detest one another and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards disaster. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp