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

In October 1962, the planet came nearer to ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of extreme tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series of global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel element to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that people have the potential to be allies or can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn