Following nearly destroying our planet, the families have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world veered closer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred when a US reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians considering? What was the American side planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to question: "Why do people detest one another and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people can be allies or can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened while it edged towards disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate when everyone around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend