‘After almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world veered closer to annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained clear. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest one another and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost in real time while it crept closer to armageddon. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "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 constantly wonderful or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp