‘After nearly destroying our world, our families have become allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer to ruin than at any other point during recent history. This occurred after an American surveillance plane identified the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging civilization into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined extensively, in books, films, as well as television programmes. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What was the American side considering?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do people hate one another to the point they go against each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly in real time while it edged towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, and Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always wonderful and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn