Following almost annihilating our world, our families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from JFK & Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, humanity veered nearer to ruin more so than ever during modern times. This happened after an American reconnaissance aircraft found that Soviet atomic missile bases were being assembled in Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of the US mainland. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK ordered a naval task force to impose a naval quarantine around Cuba. What followed constituted almost 14 days of extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger was palpable. Should President Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired on their enemy, a series involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes could have ensued, casting mankind into total oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined endlessly, in books, films, and TV documentaries. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel element into the story. The series is jointly hosted by Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva, relatives of the men that, for two tense weeks, controlled the destiny of the planet within their grasp.

"What were the Soviet side considering? What were the American side considering?" ponders Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in international affairs.

In her view, the beauty of the show lies in its endeavor to explore: "Why do nations detest each other and go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals have the potential to be friends or else can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author as well as lawyer. "History shows this repeatedly when nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Brink of Catastrophe

What is striking about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded so publicly, citizens around the world were able to observe almost as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of annihilation came closer than most people understood at the time.

"Almost all officials among Kennedy's advisors wanted an airstrike and a ground invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, there is no question Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would have destroyed our naval vessels as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have ended most life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in keep their heads and calmly negotiate when many advisors around them were advocating military action. Consequently, Khrushchev removed the missiles in Cuba and President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew his similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was palpable by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born in the years following these events, and Nina being taught about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted a slightly different picture of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to resolve it, and didn’t start the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. Subsequently, though, that view would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced and expertly crafted so much so that Khrushcheva jokes she nearly forgot the known outcome. This effect is, in part, due to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be inconceivable for relatives of the heads of state of America and the USSR to appear together publicly. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a symbol of hope.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Kennedy. "That is a shame since we connected really well and now we are friends, which is wonderful. Finally, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels with Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we now find ourselves in a perilous era. The symbolic clock of doom is closer to midnight in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to be able to learn