Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet edged closer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This happened after an American surveillance plane discovered that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting civilization into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were Washington considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations detest each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, people globally were able to observe almost in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp