‘After almost destroying our world, the relatives are friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer to annihilation than at any other point in modern times. This happened after an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around the island. The next phase was almost two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people detest each other and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently a writer and lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different narrative of events.

"You said your father remembers it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "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 the official line was that things are always fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp