‘After nearly annihilating the world, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity edged closer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This happened when a US surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men who, over 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate one another and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend