‘After almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction than at any other point during recent history. This occurred after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do individuals detest one another and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or can become total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What’s notable about this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend