‘After almost destroying the world, our families have become friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile sites were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks filled with extreme tension.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were Washington considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be allies or can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our naval vessels and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend