‘After almost destroying our planet, the families have become friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly two weeks of impossible anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do nations hate each other and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or can become complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch almost in real time while it edged towards armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have sunk our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public 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 always wonderful or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn