‘After almost annihilating the world, our relatives have become allies’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the planet edged nearer toward annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being assembled on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. What followed constituted almost two weeks filled with extreme tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The danger remained clear. Should Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving global nuclear attacks and counterstrikes might have ensued, plunging civilization into total destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, in volumes, movies, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new element into the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were the American side thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become complete adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly as it happened as it moved towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would have launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, which would have obliterated the aircraft carriers and sunk our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the missiles from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative picture of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and didn’t start a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a defeat for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

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

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "That is a shame since we got along really well and we are friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly six decades since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp