‘After nearly annihilating our world, our relatives have become friends’: a gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This happened after a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted almost a fortnight filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes and counterstrikes might have followed, plunging civilization toward total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals detest one another and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation 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 while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

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

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to grasp