‘After almost destroying the world, the families are allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian nuclear missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was palpable. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, casting mankind toward total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in books, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp