‘After nearly annihilating the world, the families have become allies’: the gripping audio series featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight of unbearable stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, casting mankind toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "Why do people hate each other and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that people can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s striking regarding this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, people globally could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards disaster. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've destroyed our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn