‘After nearly annihilating our world, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity came nearer to annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do people hate one another to the point they confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or else can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn