Following almost destroying the planet, the families are allies’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the planet came closer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This occurred after a US surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted almost two weeks of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The peril was clear. If Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by counterstrikes could have followed, casting mankind toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, over 13 days, held the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Russians considering? What were the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they oppose each other?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally were able to observe almost in real time while it crept closer to armageddon. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine or positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend