‘After nearly destroying the planet, the families are allies’: the gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin more so than ever in recent history. This occurred following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The threat was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, plunging civilization into total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel perspective to the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians thinking? What was Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest one another and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time as it crept towards catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn