‘After nearly annihilating the world, our families are allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This transpired after an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril was palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving global atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting humanity into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective to the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend