Following almost annihilating the planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet came nearer toward annihilation than at any other point during the contemporary era. This occurred after a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting humanity into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations hate each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, 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 are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp