Following nearly annihilating our planet, our relatives have become friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade of global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were the United States thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do nations detest one another and go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals globally could watch almost in real time while it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 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," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp