‘After nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction than at any other point during recent history. This occurred when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted almost 14 days of extreme stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over 13 days, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the United States planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do individuals hate one another and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it moved towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend