Following nearly destroying our world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity veered nearer to ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian atomic weapon sites were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations hate each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe nearly as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn