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

In October 1962, humanity edged closer toward annihilation more so than ever during modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet nuclear missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was obvious. If Kennedy, or his Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes could have ensued, casting humanity toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined repeatedly, through volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new dimension into this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Max Kennedy alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Russians planning? What was the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do people detest one another and confront each other?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and currently an author and attorney. "History shows this 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 is striking about this event was that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it edged towards disaster. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what most people understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels and sunk America's primary naval force. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation which would have ended all life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following the crisis, and Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which painted a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, though, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot the known outcome. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of hope.

"We aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders don’t seem to be able to comprehend