‘After almost annihilating our planet, the relatives have become allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Russian nuclear missile bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted almost two weeks of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can people hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend