‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the families have become friends’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance plane discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, casting civilization toward total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate each other and confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it crept towards catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

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

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp