‘After nearly annihilating our world, the families have become allies’: the gripping audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer toward annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting mankind into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other and confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be allies or can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally could watch almost in real time as it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp