Following almost destroying the planet, the families have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction than at any other point during the contemporary era. This happened after an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic weapon sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel dimension to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can people detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp