‘After nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to ruin than at any other point in modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane found that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks filled with extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures who, for 13 days, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations hate one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, people globally were able to observe nearly as it happened as it crept closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend