Following almost annihilating the world, the families have become allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction than at any other point during modern times. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Russian nuclear missile installations were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can nations hate one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend