‘After almost destroying our planet, the families are allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged closer to destruction than at any other point during recent history. This occurred following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction involving global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new perspective into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men that, over two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people hate one another and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that people can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice of Disaster

What is remarkable about this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking 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 together publicly. That these two individuals 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 pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp