Following nearly annihilating the world, our families are allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet came closer to annihilation more so than ever during recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear missile bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks of extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men who, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were Washington planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now an author and attorney. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Brink of Disaster

What is remarkable about this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch nearly in real time as it moved towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would've destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp