Following almost destroying our world, the relatives have become allies’: a gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in modern times. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. What followed constituted nearly 14 days of impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was clear. If Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging civilization toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new element to the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were Washington considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can nations detest one another and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to learn