Following nearly annihilating our world, the families are allies’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet came closer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed was almost two weeks of impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is notable regarding this event is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch nearly in real time as it moved closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is because we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn