‘After almost annihilating our world, the families have become friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened after a US reconnaissance plane found that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of extreme anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, over 13 days, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest one another to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, people globally could watch nearly as it happened while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp