Following almost annihilating our planet, our families are allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world veered closer to ruin than at any other point in modern times. This happened when a US surveillance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being built in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme tension.

The Catastrophic Danger

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes would have ensued, casting mankind into total oblivion.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a completely new element to the story. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the figures that, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side thinking?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can people hate each other and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that individuals can be friends or have the potential to be total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice of Disaster

What’s notable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired so publicly, people around the world could watch almost in real time as it crept towards armageddon. Even so, the danger of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk our naval vessels and destroyed our primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, they managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American similar weapons from Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the Soviet education system, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary day," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great moment it was, because it was a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably balanced and well produced that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, so I think the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to learn