Following nearly destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting mankind toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures who, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What was Washington thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to question: "How can people detest each other and go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people around the world could watch nearly in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when everyone around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp