Following almost destroying the world, the relatives have become allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane found that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate each other and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people around the world could watch nearly as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp