‘After almost destroying the planet, our relatives are allies’: a thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the planet came nearer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired after a US surveillance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have followed, plunging humanity toward all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was Washington thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s striking about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. However, the danger of destruction came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Later on, however, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp