‘After nearly annihilating our world, our families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward destruction than at any other point during recent history. This occurred after an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. What followed was nearly two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril was clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of global atomic attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp