‘After nearly destroying our world, our families have become allies’: the gripping podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained obvious. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel perspective into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is remarkable regarding this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking 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 would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn