Following almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it moved closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp