Following nearly destroying our world, the families are allies’: a gripping podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found that Russian atomic weapon sites were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of impossible tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time as it moved closer to disaster. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have sunk the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend