Following nearly annihilating the planet, the relatives are allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came nearer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear missile bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity into all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element into the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the American side planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it edged towards catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend