Following almost destroying the planet, our families are friends’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet came closer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened when an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril was obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a series involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, thrusting mankind into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel perspective to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, over 13 days, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What were the United States considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp