‘After almost annihilating the world, the relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world edged closer to ruin more so than ever during recent history. This transpired following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks of unbearable anxiety.

An Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization toward all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new dimension into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic of international affairs.

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

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, because it transpired so publicly, people worldwide were able to observe nearly in real time while it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "That is unfortunate since we connected immediately and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn