‘After almost destroying our world, our relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft found that Russian nuclear weapon installations were under construction in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks of extreme stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, casting humanity into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Russians planning? What were Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can nations detest each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn