‘After almost annihilating the world, our families are friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came closer to annihilation than at any other point during the contemporary era. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase was almost 14 days filled with extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, plunging civilization toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can nations hate one another and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals can be friends or can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time while it crept closer to disaster. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union 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 sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn