‘After nearly destroying our world, our families have become friends’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic weapon bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was almost 14 days of impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel element into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What is notable about this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn