Following almost destroying our world, the relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity came closer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This transpired after an American surveillance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks filled with extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was palpable. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

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

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn