‘After almost annihilating our world, our families have become friends’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What was Washington considering?" questions 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 question: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept towards disaster. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives 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 sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend