Following almost destroying our world, our families are allies’: a gripping audio series featuring JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, humanity came closer to ruin than at any other point during modern times. This transpired after a US reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the US mainland. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a maritime blockade around the island. What followed was nearly a fortnight filled with extreme stress.

The Unthinkable Threat

The peril was obvious. If Kennedy, or the Soviet counterpart, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, plunging humanity into all-out ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, films, and TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb introduces an unprecedented perspective into this historical narrative. The series is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the leaders who, for 13 days, held the destiny of the planet in their hands.

"What was the Kremlin planning? What was the American side considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its endeavor to explore: "How can nations hate one another to the point they oppose one another?"

"It struck me how spectacular the fact that humans can be allies or can become complete adversaries," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to the late president and now a writer as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, highlighting how unbelievably stupid involved to engage in warfare."

A Brink Towards Catastrophe

What is striking regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, people globally could watch nearly as it happened as it crept closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've fired a tactical nuclear weapon at the American ships, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels and sunk our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack which would have ended all life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when everyone around them were advocating military action. As a result, The Soviet premier removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina learned about it via the Soviet school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of events.

"As you mentioned your father recalls it, describing it as a scary time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that everything was constantly wonderful or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion it was, as it was a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus didn’t start a global war, which was a positive outcome," she continues. In the years to come, however, that perspective was not held by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva jokes it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This is, in part, thanks to contributions from historians. Yet, truly, the most momentous aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after almost six decades since nearly annihilating the world, our families have become allies, so I think global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Modern Echoes with Present Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series feels so necessary is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, in part because world leaders appear not to have the capacity to grasp