‘After almost annihilating the world, our families have become allies’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet edged closer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic missile sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a completely new dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was the United States planning?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch almost as it happened as it moved closer to disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've sunk the naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are constantly fine or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, following almost six decades since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend