‘After nearly annihilating our world, the relatives are friends’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point during the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, casting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented perspective to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to question: "Why do people hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or else can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have sunk the naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp