Following almost annihilating the world, the relatives are allies’: the gripping audio series featuring JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, the planet came nearer to ruin more so than ever during the contemporary era. This happened when a US reconnaissance plane found that Russian nuclear weapon installations were being built on Cuba, a mere 100 miles from American soil. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire on their enemy, a chain reaction of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, thrusting civilization into all-out oblivion.

The October crisis has been documented endlessly, through volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast The Bomb presents an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, for two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the planet within their grasp.

"What was the Russians considering? What was Washington planning?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and an academic of global relations.

For her, the strength of the show is its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations hate each other to the point they go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound it is that humans have the potential to be allies or else can become total adversaries," states Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to JFK and now an author and lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations enter into conflict, and it just illustrates how unbelievably stupid involved to fight."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it transpired so publicly, citizens globally could watch almost in real time while it crept towards disaster. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead against the US Sixth Fleet, which would've sunk the aircraft carriers and destroyed our largest and most important naval force. In turn, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they managed to remain calm while calmly negotiate at a time when everyone around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was a feeling of optimism.

The Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, and Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different 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 that much about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always wonderful and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, because it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced so much so that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame since we connected really well and now we’re friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, so I think the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes with Present 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 Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight in its history, partly since today's statesmen don’t seem to be able to learn