‘After nearly annihilating the planet, the families are friends’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The next phase was nearly 14 days filled with extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained clear. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders who, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do people hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it crept closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp