‘After almost destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days filled with extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were Washington considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch nearly as it happened as it crept closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend