Following nearly destroying the planet, our relatives have become friends’: the gripping podcast from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever in modern times. This happened when an American reconnaissance plane identified that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to establish a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. What followed constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting mankind toward all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can people detest one another and confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "We see this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost in real time as it edged closer to disaster. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine and positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"We aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Current Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp