‘After almost destroying the planet, our families are friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting humanity toward total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or can become total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost as it happened as it crept closer to armageddon. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have sunk our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp