Following almost destroying the planet, our relatives are friends’: the gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase was nearly a fortnight of impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the American side planning?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "How can individuals detest each other and go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people can be friends or can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly as it happened as it crept closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

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

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn