‘After almost destroying our world, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic missile installations were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was almost a fortnight filled with impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging mankind toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was Washington thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "Why do nations hate each other and go against each other?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s notable regarding this event is that, since it unfolded so publicly, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time while it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've obliterated the naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that 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 while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, and Nina being taught about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp