‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the families are friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came closer to ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting humanity into all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel perspective into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What was Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world could watch nearly as it happened while it crept towards disaster. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend