‘After almost destroying the world, the families are allies’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world edged closer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This occurred when a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade around the island. The next phase constituted almost 14 days filled with impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, plunging mankind into total oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension to the story. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the show is its attempt to question: "Why do people detest each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans have the potential to be allies or can become complete enemies," states Max Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Disaster

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world could watch almost in real time while it edged towards armageddon. Even so, the risk of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend