Following almost destroying the world, our families are friends’: the thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward ruin than at any other point in recent history. This occurred when a US surveillance aircraft discovered that Soviet nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from American soil. In response, President JFK directed a naval task force to impose a naval blockade encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted almost two weeks of unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained palpable. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have followed, casting mankind into all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a completely new dimension into the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures who, over 13 days, held the destiny of humanity within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What were the United States considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they go against each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that individuals can be friends or else can become complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, demonstrating the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly in real time as it moved towards disaster. However, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's largest and most important fleet. In turn, we would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when hawkish elements in their governments demanded military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed his similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Still, for those two weeks of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation would not be held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This is, partly, thanks to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we are friends, which is really great. Ultimately, after nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is because we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend