Following almost annihilating the planet, our families have become friends’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other and confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, people around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it moved towards disaster. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn