‘After nearly destroying the planet, the families are allies’: a gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer to annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting mankind toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans can be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend