Following nearly destroying our planet, the families have become friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost two weeks of extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people can be allies or else can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn