‘After nearly destroying the world, our families are allies’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity edged nearer to destruction more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after an American surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic weapon sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase was almost two weeks filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What were Washington thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide were able to observe almost in real time while it crept towards armageddon. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp