‘After almost annihilating the world, our families are allies’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity edged nearer to ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around the island. The next phase was almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What were the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can individuals hate one another and go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn