‘After nearly destroying our world, our families have become friends’: a gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer to annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted almost a fortnight of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting civilization toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in books, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, over two tense weeks, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the United States planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed our naval vessels and sunk our primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about it through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But 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 things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp