Following almost annihilating the world, our families are friends’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, plunging mankind into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp