Following nearly destroying our planet, the families are allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin more so than ever in recent history. This occurred after an American reconnaissance plane discovered that Soviet nuclear missile bases were under construction on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine around the island. The ensuing period was nearly a fortnight of unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The peril was palpable. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes would have ensued, casting mankind into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension to the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

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

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

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

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp