Following almost annihilating our planet, the families have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance plane discovered that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly 14 days of impossible anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril was palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade involving global nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting humanity toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel perspective into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What were Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time as it crept towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers and destroyed America's primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, though, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp