Following almost destroying the planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward ruin than at any other point during the contemporary era. This occurred when a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was nearly two weeks of extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained clear. If President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a cascade of global atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting civilization toward all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented dimension to this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders that, over 13 days, held the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the American side planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can people detest one another and oppose one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this over and over in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable about this event is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened while it moved towards armageddon. However, the risk of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've destroyed our naval vessels and destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, really, the most significant aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to grasp