‘After nearly destroying our planet, the families have become friends’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained obvious. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging mankind into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can individuals hate one another to the point they confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that people can be friends or can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend