Following almost destroying our planet, the relatives are friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting mankind toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can people detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

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

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend