‘After almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer toward annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This transpired after an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic missile installations were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight filled with extreme tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, following almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn