Following almost annihilating our world, the families are allies’: the gripping audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were under construction in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. What followed was nearly 14 days of impossible stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was palpable. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging civilization into total destruction.

The October crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, and television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, over two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest one another and confront each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that individuals can be friends or else have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch almost as it happened as it moved closer to armageddon. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn