‘After nearly annihilating our planet, the families are friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred when an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate each other and confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that humans can be allies or can become complete adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative 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. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp