‘After almost annihilating the planet, our families are allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred after a US surveillance plane found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was nearly 14 days of extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes could have followed, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, for 13 days, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of global relations.

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

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn