‘After nearly destroying our planet, our families are allies’: a thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came closer toward destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred after an American surveillance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to impose a maritime quarantine encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained palpable. If President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, were to fire against their enemy, a chain reaction of global atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have followed, plunging humanity toward total ruination.

The October crisis has been documented extensively, in books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought a novel perspective to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the figures that, over two tense weeks, grasped the destiny of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side thinking? What was the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the show is its endeavor to explore: "How can people hate one another to the point they oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be allies or else have the potential to be total adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Disaster

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, individuals around the world could watch almost as it happened while it crept closer to armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than most people understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by a ground invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians on the ground would've launched a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as sunk our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded with massive retaliation which would have eradicated most life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone in their governments demanded action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after these events, and Nina learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly fine or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, and avoided a global war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that interpretation was not shared by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most momentous thing remains the participation of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is unfortunate since we got along immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our families have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes and Present Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp