Following nearly destroying our planet, the relatives are allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This occurred when a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being assembled in 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 impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days of unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version 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, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend