Following nearly destroying our world, the relatives have become friends’: a gripping podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world came nearer toward destruction more so than ever in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile sites were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of extreme stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was clear. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging humanity into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate when everyone around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp