Following almost destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging mankind toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it crept towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn