‘After nearly destroying the planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet came closer toward annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This occurred following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into total ruination.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can nations detest one another to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged towards disaster. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, following nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp