‘After nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came closer to ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred after a US surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around Cuba. What followed was almost 14 days of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, casting humanity into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, for 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations detest each other and confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time as it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about it via the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn