Following almost destroying our world, the relatives are friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This transpired when an American surveillance aircraft found that Russian nuclear missile bases were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling the island. What followed was nearly 14 days of unbearable tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat was clear. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of global nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented endlessly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, over 13 days, held the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians considering? What was Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals detest one another and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that people have the potential to be friends or can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals around the world were able to observe nearly in real time as it edged closer to armageddon. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about it via the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not shared by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, following almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to be able to learn