‘After nearly annihilating our world, the families are friends’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point during recent history. This happened after a US reconnaissance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel perspective into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels and destroyed America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn