‘After nearly destroying the planet, the families have become friends’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer toward ruin than at any other point during recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed was nearly two weeks of impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were Washington considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that humans can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost in real time as it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always fine or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, 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, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn