‘After almost annihilating the world, our families have become friends’: a gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In the month of October 1962, the planet veered closer toward ruin than at any other point during modern times. This occurred after an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a naval blockade around the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The threat was clear. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction involving global atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, and TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to question: "How can individuals detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that individuals can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," states Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, highlighting how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking regarding this event was that, since it transpired so publicly, individuals around the world could watch almost as it happened as it edged towards armageddon. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've fired a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have obliterated our naval vessels and sunk our primary naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when everyone around them demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Nina learned about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always fine and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great moment it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages are now friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp