‘After almost destroying the world, the relatives are friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered closer to annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This transpired after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet nuclear missile bases were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat remained clear. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes and counterstrikes could have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces an unprecedented element into the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures that, for two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What was Washington thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its attempt to question: "How can individuals hate each other and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that people can be allies or else can become complete enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost in real time while it edged towards catastrophe. Even so, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba using the naval blockade, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would have launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, which would've obliterated our naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported then) removed his similar weapons based in Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented a slightly different version of events.

"You said your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina jokes she nearly forgot the known the ending. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb 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, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend