‘After nearly destroying the planet, the families have become friends’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened after an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine around the island. What followed was almost a fortnight of impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging mankind toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn