Following almost annihilating the world, our relatives have become friends’: the thrilling podcast featuring John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, humanity came nearer toward destruction more so than ever during recent history. This occurred after a US reconnaissance plane found that Russian atomic weapon sites were being built in Cuba, a mere 100 miles off the coast of the United States. In response, U.S. President John F Kennedy ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a naval blockade encircling the island. The next phase constituted nearly a fortnight of extreme tension.

An Catastrophic Danger

The danger remained obvious. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, had fired against their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, casting mankind toward all-out destruction.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered endlessly, in books, films, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces an unprecedented element to the story. It is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, over 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the American side thinking?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in global relations.

In her view, the strength of the podcast lies in its attempt to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another and oppose each other?"

"It was not lost on me how spectacular it is that individuals can be allies or else have the potential to be total enemies," remarks Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of the late president and now an author and attorney. "History shows this over and over when countries enter into conflict, highlighting the sheer folly it is to fight."

A Brink of Catastrophe

What’s remarkable regarding the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe nearly in real time while it edged closer to disaster. Nonetheless, the danger of annihilation came closer than anybody realised.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike followed by an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain Soviet forces stationed there would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. In turn, the U.S. would have responded through an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur is a testament to both leaders, who succeeded in remain calm and calmly negotiate when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba while Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was worldwide, as was a feeling of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's school curriculum, which presented an alternative narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," she says. "But for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always wonderful and sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was different. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that view would not be held by all Russians. "For a long time in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a failure for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unlikely Partnership

The Bomb is so balanced and well produced that Khrushcheva quips she nearly forgot she already knew outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to contributions from renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect is the involvement of the hosts themselves. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union to appear together publicly. That these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, must be seen as a sign of hope.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Khrushcheva. "After 1991, a relative moved to America and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"However we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and now we are friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly six decades of nearly annihilating the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Modern Parallels and Present Dangers

Or is it? One reason why this series feels so necessary is that we once again are living living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to be able to comprehend