Following almost annihilating the world, our relatives have become allies’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet veered closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This happened when an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet nuclear missile sites were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed was almost two weeks filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, casting civilization toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been documented repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that people have the potential to be allies or can become total adversaries," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What is notable regarding this event is that, since it transpired so publicly, people around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it crept closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative 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 unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend