Following nearly destroying our planet, our families have become friends’: the gripping audio series featuring John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world came nearer to destruction more so than ever during recent history. This transpired when an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling the island. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight of impossible tension.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. If Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes would have followed, casting mankind into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What was the United States thinking?" questions Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to question: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that humans can be allies or can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now an author and attorney. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding this event was that, since it unfolded so publicly, people around the world could watch almost in real time while it edged closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments demanded action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected really well and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, following nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Is that truly the case? One reason why this series feels so necessary is because we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to comprehend