Following nearly destroying the world, our families have become allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world came nearer toward destruction more so than ever in modern times. This occurred when an American surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic missile installations were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost in real time as it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp