‘After nearly annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon sites were under construction on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. What followed was almost 14 days filled with unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging mankind toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can individuals detest each other and oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, people globally could watch almost as it happened as it moved closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have sunk our naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend