Following nearly annihilating our world, our families have become allies’: a gripping podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer to annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered that Soviet atomic missile bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days filled with unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade of worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting humanity toward all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been covered endlessly, through books, films, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. It is jointly hosted by Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin thinking? What was Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs.

For her, the strength of the podcast is its attempt to question: "Why do nations hate one another and confront one another?"

"It was not lost on me how remarkable it is that individuals have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when countries have gone to war, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

A Brink of Disaster

What is notable about this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world could watch nearly in real time while it crept towards disaster. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted an airstrike followed by a ground invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and destroyed our primary naval force. And, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them were advocating action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of hope.

The Divergent Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about it through the Soviet education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or positive."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, because it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to find a solution, and didn’t start a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. But, truly, the most momentous thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the heads of state of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we connected really well and we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families are now friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Echoes with Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to catastrophe than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend