‘After almost destroying our world, the families have become allies’: a gripping podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity edged nearer toward destruction more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened when a US surveillance plane found the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, thrusting humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, through volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men who, for two tense weeks, held the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians thinking? What were the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do nations detest each other and confront one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that humans can be allies or can become total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved closer to disaster. However, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the heads of state of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend