Following almost destroying the planet, the families are friends’: the thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world veered closer toward destruction than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting civilization into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or else can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he 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, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp