Following nearly annihilating our planet, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging civilization into total destruction.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, through books, movies, and television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest each other to the point they confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time while it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following the crisis, and Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame because we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend