Following almost destroying our world, the relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American reconnaissance plane identified that Russian atomic weapon bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly 14 days of extreme stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting mankind into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What were Washington thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans can be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn