Following nearly destroying the planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward ruin more so than ever during recent history. This occurred when an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval quarantine around the island. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting mankind into total ruination.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the leaders that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "How can people hate each other and oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend