Following almost destroying our world, the relatives are friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This happened after a US surveillance plane identified that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks of impossible tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting civilization into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, for 13 days, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, people globally could watch almost in real time as it moved closer to disaster. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for 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 NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following these events, with Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , well produced so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families are now allies, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend