Following nearly destroying the world, the families have become allies’: a gripping podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened after an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days of impossible stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting mankind toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in books, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel dimension to the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were the American side considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the strength of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it crept towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction came closer than what anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals 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 formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp