Following almost destroying our planet, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity edged closer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened after a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days of extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can nations hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp