‘After almost destroying our world, our relatives are friends’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened after a US surveillance plane discovered that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was almost a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What were the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally could watch nearly as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. 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. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn