Following almost destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction than at any other point during recent history. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around the island. What followed constituted almost 14 days filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch almost as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know 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."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

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

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp