‘After nearly destroying our planet, our relatives have become allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity veered closer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This happened when an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, casting mankind into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do people hate each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch nearly in real time as it crept closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend