Following almost destroying our planet, the relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened when a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting civilization into total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What were the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show is its attempt to question: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals can be allies or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would have destroyed the naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn