Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity veered nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened when an American surveillance plane discovered that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series of global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting mankind toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, movies, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp