Following almost annihilating the world, the relatives are allies’: the gripping podcast featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This occurred when a US surveillance aircraft identified the fact that Russian atomic weapon installations were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase was nearly 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Unthinkable Danger

The danger was clear. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by counterstrikes might have ensued, thrusting humanity into all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been examined repeatedly, in books, movies, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the figures who, over 13 days, controlled the destiny of the world within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were the United States thinking?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show is its attempt to explore: "How can nations detest one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Max Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of JFK and now a writer and attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the profound irrationality involved to fight."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people worldwide could watch nearly in real time as it moved closer to armageddon. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would've obliterated our aircraft carriers and sunk our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in exercise restraint while calmly negotiate when hawkish elements around them was pushing for action. Consequently, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed his missiles from NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was palpable globally. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina learned about it via the USSR's education system, which portrayed a slightly different version of what happened.

"You said your parent recalls it, and it was a scary day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, thus didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, however, that interpretation was not held by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, because he refrained from destroying America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it would be inconceivable for descendants of the leaders of the United States and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a symbol of optimism.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son where he became great friends with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," clarifies Kennedy. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, after almost six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat."

Modern Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? Part of why The Bomb feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to comprehend