Following nearly annihilating the world, the families are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward destruction than at any other point in recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging mankind into total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension to the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch nearly in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 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," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through 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 learn