Following almost destroying the world, our relatives are friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging mankind into total ruination.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was Washington considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations detest one another and oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels and sunk our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend