‘After nearly destroying the world, the families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came closer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This occurred when an American reconnaissance plane identified that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight filled with impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting civilization toward total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel dimension into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

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

For her, the strength of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals can be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals globally could watch almost as it happened while it edged closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles 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."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the world, our families are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp