Following almost destroying the world, our families are allies’: a gripping audio series from JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin than at any other point during recent history. This happened following the discovery that an American reconnaissance plane discovered the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles from American soil. Reacting to this, President JFK directed a naval task force to establish a maritime blockade around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of extreme tension.

An Unthinkable Threat

The threat remained clear. If President Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide nuclear strikes followed by counterstrikes would have ensued, plunging mankind into total ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast The Bomb has brought an unprecedented element into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, for 13 days, controlled the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin thinking? What was Washington considering?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the show is its attempt to objectively ask: "Why do nations hate each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be complete enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, related to JFK and now a writer and lawyer. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly involved to fight."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost as it happened while it crept closer to catastrophe. However, the danger of annihilation came closer than what most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," explains Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the US Sixth Fleet, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as sunk America's primary fleet. And, the U.S. would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The fact it didn’t is a testament to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the missiles in the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (although not reported then) withdrew American missiles based in Turkey. The relief was immense, as was a feeling of hope.

A Different Perspective

Still, for those 13 days in October, the tension was felt by everyone. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the USSR's school curriculum, which painted an alternative version of events.

"You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "However for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much about it, since it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine and positive."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "I was informed that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it was eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a positive thing," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by everybody. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking thing remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the heads of state of the United States and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a sign of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we connected immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years since nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Or is it? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we now find ourselves living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because world leaders appear not to be able to learn