‘After nearly destroying the world, our relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was almost two weeks filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate each other and confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn