Following nearly destroying our planet, our relatives are friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged closer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile sites were being built on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting civilization into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time while it crept towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend