Following nearly annihilating the planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were under construction on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic strikes and retaliatory strikes would have ensued, plunging humanity into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered repeatedly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel dimension to the story. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the leaders who, over 13 days, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its endeavor to objectively ask: "Why do individuals hate each other to the point they oppose one another?"

"I am acutely aware how remarkable the fact that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the profound irrationality it is to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s remarkable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens around the world were able to observe nearly in real time while it crept towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a nuclear warhead against the American ships, and that would've sunk our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) removed American missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great occasion for the USSR, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, though, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is so even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and Soviet Union would appear side by side. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason why The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn