‘After almost destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came closer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. What followed was nearly two weeks filled with impossible stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting civilization into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, over 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch almost as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn