Following nearly annihilating our world, the relatives have become friends’: the thrilling audio series featuring John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world veered closer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired after an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

An Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, through books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new element into the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men that, for 13 days, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was Washington planning?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "Why do individuals detest each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else can become total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time as it edged towards disaster. Even so, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have obliterated the aircraft carriers and sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have responded with an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which presented a slightly different narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "But in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and 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 symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost six decades of almost destroying the planet, our families have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn