‘After almost destroying our planet, our relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This happened when an American reconnaissance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to question: "Why do people hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp