Following almost destroying our planet, our relatives have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the world came closer toward ruin more so than ever in the contemporary era. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane found that Soviet nuclear weapon sites were being built in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide nuclear attacks followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, plunging mankind toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new perspective into the story. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What were Washington considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of international affairs.

In her view, the strength of the podcast is its endeavor to explore: "Why do individuals hate one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans can be friends or else have the potential to be total enemies," states Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it moved towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. In turn, we would have responded with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to both leaders, they succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone around them was pushing for action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) removed his missiles based in Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts were born in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative narrative of events.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she adds. In the years to come, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"Max and I are not the first," notes Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "That is a shame because we got along immediately and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our families are now friends, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to comprehend