‘After almost annihilating our world, the relatives are friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world came closer to annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This happened after an American surveillance aircraft found that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks of extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting humanity toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel element to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were Washington thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn