‘After nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity veered closer toward destruction than at any other point during the contemporary era. This transpired after an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to the story. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, for 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since 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 different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

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

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend