Following almost annihilating our planet, our families have become friends’: a thrilling audio series from JFK and Khrushchev’s relatives.

In October 1962, humanity edged closer toward ruin than at any other point in the contemporary era. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found the fact that Russian nuclear weapon sites were being assembled on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, President JFK commanded a naval task force to impose a maritime quarantine encircling the island. The ensuing period constituted nearly 14 days filled with unbearable anxiety.

The Catastrophic Danger

The peril remained palpable. Should President Kennedy, or else the Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack on the other side, a series of worldwide nuclear strikes and counterstrikes could have followed, plunging civilization into all-out oblivion.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through volumes, films, as well as television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" introduces a novel dimension to the story. The series is co-presented by Max Kennedy and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the leaders who, for 13 days, grasped the fate of the world in their hands.

"What were the Kremlin considering? What were Washington planning?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic of international affairs.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can people detest one another and go against one another?"

"I am acutely aware how profound the fact that people can be friends or else can become total adversaries," remarks Max Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of the late president and currently a writer and attorney. "History shows this repeatedly in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about this event was that, because it transpired in the global spotlight, citizens globally could watch nearly as it happened as it edged closer to armageddon. However, the risk of destruction was more imminent than most people realised.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians on the ground would have deployed a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the naval vessels as well as destroyed America's largest and most important naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated all life on Earth."

The fact this did not occur stands as credit to both leaders, who succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when everyone around them demanded action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island and Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of optimism.

A Different Perspective

Yet, during those two weeks in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world shortly after these events, with Khrushcheva being taught about it through the Soviet school curriculum, which painted a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent remembers it, describing it as a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a tense situation, and under the Soviet system the official line was that everything was always fine and sunny."

Within Khrushchev’s family, however, it was distinct. "I was informed what a great occasion it was, as it represented a direct confrontation. The leaders managed to find a solution, thus didn’t start a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she adds. In the years to come, however, that interpretation would not be held by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up the United States."

An Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is remarkably balanced , well produced that Khrushcheva quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This effect is, partly, thanks to contributions from historians. But, truly, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the participation of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable that descendants of the leaders of the United States and USSR would appear together publicly. That these two individuals can do that, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," clarifies Max. "Which is a shame because we connected immediately and now we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages have become friends, so I think global relations is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, in part because today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp