‘After almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer to annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging civilization toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians considering? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public 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 everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn