Following nearly annihilating our world, the families are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight filled with extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging mankind into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, over 13 days, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was Washington thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend