Following almost destroying the world, the families have become allies’: the thrilling podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world veered closer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging civilization into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What were the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest each other and confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living 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