Following almost annihilating our world, our families have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet came closer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened when a US reconnaissance plane found that Russian atomic missile installations were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period was almost a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch almost in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors around them demanded military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend