‘After nearly annihilating our planet, our families have become friends’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet came closer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase was almost two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Threat

The peril was palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity into total destruction.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension to the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians considering? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest each other and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, people around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it moved towards armageddon. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends 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 are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn