Following nearly destroying our world, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, casting mankind toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What were Washington considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that people have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"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. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn