‘After almost annihilating the world, the families have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This occurred when a US reconnaissance plane found that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted almost a fortnight of impossible anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can people detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, with Nina learned about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn