‘After nearly annihilating the planet, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened when an American surveillance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks of extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp