Following almost annihilating our world, our relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction than at any other point in recent history. This happened when a US surveillance plane discovered that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly a fortnight of extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was obvious. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, plunging humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people can be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally could watch almost as it happened while it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn