‘After nearly destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet came closer toward annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging civilization toward total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate one another and oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when everyone around them demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend