‘After nearly destroying the planet, the relatives have become allies’: the thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, the planet came closer to annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This transpired after a US surveillance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon installations were being assembled in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained obvious. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, plunging humanity into all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new perspective into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the men that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were Washington thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to question: "Why do nations hate one another and oppose each other?"

"It struck me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over when nations have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe almost as it happened as it moved towards catastrophe. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would've obliterated our naval vessels as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated through an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in exercise restraint while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters were born shortly after the crisis, and Nina being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that perspective was not shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "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," clarifies Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn