Following almost annihilating our planet, our relatives have become allies’: the thrilling podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction than at any other point in recent history. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals hate each other to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened while it crept closer to catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend