‘After nearly destroying the world, the families have become friends’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built on Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do individuals detest one another to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is striking about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time as it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, however, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend