Following almost annihilating the world, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend