‘After almost annihilating our planet, our relatives are allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, humanity veered closer toward annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. In response, President JFK ordered a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

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

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or can become total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe nearly as it happened while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend