Following almost annihilating the world, the relatives are allies’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin than at any other point in modern times. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear strikes and retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented element into the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders that, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What were the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that individuals can be friends or else can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about the crisis via the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was always wonderful or positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," 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 had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly six decades since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp