‘After almost destroying the world, the families are friends’: the gripping audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian nuclear weapon bases were being assembled in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President JFK commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine around the island. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging humanity into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in books, films, as well as television programmes. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents a novel element into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures that, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What was the American side thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to question: "Why do people hate each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost in real time as it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp