Following nearly destroying the planet, the families have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction than at any other point in modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was nearly two weeks of extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction involving global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting civilization into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the American side thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it crept towards armageddon. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders 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 exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages 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 the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp