‘After almost annihilating our world, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came closer to annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was almost a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures who, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What were Washington considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can people detest one another to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or else can become total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, people around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened while it crept closer to armageddon. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend