Following nearly destroying the world, the relatives are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened when an American surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, plunging civilization into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals can be friends or else can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, people globally could watch nearly as it happened while it moved towards disaster. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the naval vessels and sunk our primary naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend