‘After nearly destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged closer to ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Russian nuclear missile installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes could have followed, thrusting civilization into total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel perspective into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures who, for 13 days, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn