Following almost destroying our world, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can people hate each other and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people can be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different 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 really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves 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 grasp