‘After almost destroying the world, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world came closer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American surveillance aircraft discovered that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around Cuba. What followed constituted almost two weeks of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction of global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures that, for two tense weeks, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was Washington planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the risk of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn