Following nearly annihilating the world, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin than at any other point during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity toward total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can individuals hate one another and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time while it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and 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 connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend