‘After almost annihilating our world, our relatives are friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate one another and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time while it moved closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn