Following almost annihilating our planet, our families have become allies’: a gripping podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin more so than ever during modern times. This occurred when an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes would have followed, casting civilization into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the American side thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp