‘After nearly annihilating the world, our relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever in recent history. This transpired when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being assembled on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of extreme anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series of global atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting civilization into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in books, movies, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What was the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate each other and oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the profound irrationality involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable about this event was that, because it transpired so publicly, people globally were able to observe almost in real time while it moved towards catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary fleet. And, we would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint and engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments were advocating action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative picture of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, it was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a setback for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable for descendants of the leaders 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, must be seen as a symbol of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Nina. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to grasp