Following nearly destroying the planet, the families are friends’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, for 13 days, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the American side considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations hate one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost in real time while it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

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

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union 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 symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we got along really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn