‘After nearly destroying the planet, our relatives have become friends’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point in recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance plane identified the fact that Russian atomic missile bases were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Threat

The peril was obvious. If President Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade of global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have ensued, plunging humanity into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Russians thinking? What was the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about this event was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and USSR would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend