Following nearly destroying the world, our families are friends’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired when an American surveillance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed was almost two weeks of extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have obliterated the naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp