Following nearly destroying the planet, the families have become allies’: the gripping podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This occurred after a US surveillance plane found that Russian nuclear weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting mankind into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can nations detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly as it happened while it crept towards disaster. However, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn