Following nearly destroying our planet, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet came closer toward ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired when a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic weapon bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost 14 days of extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained clear. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on the other side, a cascade of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting mankind into total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered extensively, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side considering? What was the American side considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest each other and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people can be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "We see this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What’s striking regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally could watch almost as it happened while it edged towards catastrophe. However, the risk of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them was pushing for military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, as was the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which portrayed a slightly different picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, though, that view was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along really well and now we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to comprehend