‘After almost destroying our world, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world came closer to annihilation more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that an American surveillance aircraft identified that Russian nuclear missile bases were being assembled on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme anxiety.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a series involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into total ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element into the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, over 13 days, held the fate of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What was the United States thinking?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "How can people detest each other to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is striking about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, citizens worldwide could watch nearly as it happened while it crept closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the risk of destruction came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk our primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to remain calm and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"We aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp