Following almost annihilating our world, our relatives are friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During October 1962, the world edged nearer to annihilation than at any other point in the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around the island. What followed constituted nearly 14 days filled with impossible anxiety.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger remained clear. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a cascade involving global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was the American side planning?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do people detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," adds Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s remarkable about this event is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, people globally could watch almost in real time as it moved towards armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would have fired a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have sunk the naval vessels and sunk America's largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was constantly fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

The Bomb is so even-handed and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and we’re friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Perils

Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to grasp