‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer to annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians planning? What was the American side considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend