Following almost annihilating our world, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting mankind into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is striking regarding this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch almost in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we 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 managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn