‘After nearly destroying our world, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction than at any other point during recent history. This transpired after a US reconnaissance plane found that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians planning? What was the American side planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do people detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost as it happened while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone around them were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend