‘After almost annihilating our planet, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was nearly two weeks of impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging mankind into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel element into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do people detest each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is striking about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost as it happened as it crept towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp