Following nearly destroying the planet, our families are friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin than at any other point during recent history. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviet atomic missile sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril was palpable. If President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe nearly in real time as it crept closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've obliterated the naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp