Following almost destroying our planet, our families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer to destruction more so than ever in recent history. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane identified that Russian atomic weapon bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

The Unthinkable Danger

The threat was obvious. Should Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, thrusting civilization into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented endlessly, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces a completely new element to the story. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What were the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant and a professor of international affairs.

For her, the strength of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations detest each other and oppose one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and lawyer. "History shows this over and over when countries have gone to war, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Precipice Towards Disaster

What’s striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals worldwide could watch nearly as it happened as it moved towards disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for a military strike followed by a ground invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who managed to remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons from Turkey. The sense of relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the fear was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know a great deal about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that everything was always wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for the Soviet leader, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most significant thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of the United States and USSR to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of hope.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate since we got along really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, following almost six decades of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become allies, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Present Dangers

Or is it? Part of the reason The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen appear not to be able to grasp