‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after a US surveillance aircraft found that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that individuals can be friends or can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp