‘After nearly destroying our planet, the relatives are friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days of unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that humans can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend