‘After nearly destroying the planet, our relatives are friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet veered nearer to annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate each other and oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that people can be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly as it happened while it moved towards armageddon. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend