‘After almost destroying the world, our relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came nearer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented element into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to question: "Why do people detest one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals worldwide could watch almost as it happened while it crept closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk the naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp