Following almost destroying our planet, our relatives are friends’: a gripping audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity veered nearer toward ruin more so than ever in modern times. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase was almost 14 days filled with unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Threat

The danger was clear. Should Kennedy, or else his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series involving worldwide nuclear attacks and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging mankind into all-out destruction.

This pivotal 1962 event has been covered endlessly, through books, films, as well as television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Kremlin planning? What were the United States considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "How can people hate each other to the point they confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "We see this over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What is striking regarding this event is that, because it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens worldwide were able to observe almost as it happened while it crept closer to disaster. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy at a time when hawkish elements in their governments demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those two weeks in October, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's presenters were born in the years following these events, with Nina being taught about the crisis through the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a crisis, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "They told me what a great moment it was, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective was not held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and well produced so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the first," smiles Nina. "After 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends 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 are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our lineages are now allies, so I think the world is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn