‘After nearly destroying our planet, our families are allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend