Following almost annihilating our planet, our families have become friends’: the thrilling audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The peril was palpable. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a chain reaction of global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, casting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel perspective to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author and attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it edged towards armageddon. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn