Following almost destroying the planet, the families have become allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world veered closer toward ruin more so than ever during recent history. This happened after a US reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight filled with impossible stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series involving global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have followed, casting civilization toward total destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people hate each other to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or else can become total adversaries," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved towards disaster. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, who managed to exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware 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 sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn