‘After almost destroying the world, our families have become friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet veered closer to ruin than at any other point in recent history. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade around the island. What followed constituted almost two weeks of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting humanity toward total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What was the United States considering?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations hate each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn