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

During the month of October 1962, the world edged closer to destruction than at any other point in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks of extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have followed, casting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel element to the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time as it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend