‘After almost destroying our planet, our relatives have become allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet came closer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles 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 filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril was obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What were the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals detest one another and oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch almost in real time as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about it through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp