Following nearly destroying our planet, our families have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was nearly a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade involving global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that humans can be friends or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it edged towards disaster. However, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of events.

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

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp