Following nearly destroying our planet, our families are friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward ruin than at any other point during recent history. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks of impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging mankind toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can people hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is striking about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend