‘After almost destroying our world, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian atomic missile sites were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging humanity toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can nations hate each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that people can be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to learn