Following nearly destroying the world, our families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was nearly a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging civilization into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a completely new element into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was the American side thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can nations detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch almost in real time while it edged towards armageddon. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend