‘After nearly destroying the world, the relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity came nearer toward ruin than at any other point during recent history. This transpired after a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do individuals detest one another and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that humans can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend