‘After almost destroying our planet, the families have become friends’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened when an American reconnaissance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting mankind into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel perspective to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What were the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be friends or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn