‘After nearly destroying our world, the relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin than at any other point during modern times. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril was palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have followed, casting humanity toward total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans can be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally could watch nearly in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

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

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn