‘After nearly destroying the planet, the families are friends’: the thrilling podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging mankind toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch nearly as it happened as it crept closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk our 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 the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, 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 held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend