‘After almost destroying the planet, the relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet veered nearer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened when a US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Russian nuclear weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost two weeks filled with impossible tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on the other side, a cascade of global nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered repeatedly, through volumes, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a novel dimension to the story. The series is co-presented featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives belonging to the figures who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its attempt to question: "How can individuals detest one another to the point they confront each other?"

"It struck me how profound the fact that individuals can be allies or can become complete adversaries," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time as it edged closer to catastrophe. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted an airstrike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly Soviet forces on the ground would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while calmly negotiate when many advisors in their governments were advocating action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, matched by the sense of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after the crisis, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, and it was a scary time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Later on, however, that perspective would not be shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , well produced so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and USSR would appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and now we are friends, something that is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we now are living in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp