Following nearly annihilating our planet, our families have become allies’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened after a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging civilization into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

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

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become total adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, people globally could watch nearly in real time while it edged closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend