Following almost destroying our world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine around the island. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting mankind toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was Washington thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally could watch almost as it happened as it moved closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction came closer than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when everyone around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend