Following almost destroying our planet, the relatives are allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This occurred after an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, casting civilization toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can individuals hate one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is striking regarding this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from 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 leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. 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 hope.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend