Following nearly destroying the world, the families have become friends’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This happened after a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost 14 days of extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting mankind into total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations detest each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend