‘After nearly annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened after a US surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging mankind toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element into the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

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

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp