Following nearly annihilating the world, our relatives are allies’: the thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world came nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime blockade around the island. What followed constituted almost 14 days of unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, for 13 days, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "How can people hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly when countries have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the tension was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp