‘After almost destroying the planet, our families are allies’: a thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward destruction than at any other point during modern times. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being built in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations hate each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans can be friends or else can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn