‘After almost destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet veered closer toward destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost 14 days filled with extreme anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series of global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were Washington thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is notable regarding this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time while it edged towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've obliterated the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend