Following almost annihilating the world, the families have become allies’: the gripping audio series from John F. Kennedy & Khrushchev’s descendants.

During the month of October 1962, the world veered nearer toward annihilation than at any other point during modern times. This happened following the discovery that a US surveillance plane found that Russian atomic missile bases were being built in Cuba, a mere 160 kilometers off the coast of American soil. In response, U.S. President JFK ordered the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to enact a maritime blockade encircling the island. The next phase was nearly two weeks filled with unbearable tension.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat remained clear. If Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against their enemy, a cascade involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes would have followed, casting humanity toward total ruination.

This pivotal 1962 event has been documented extensively, in volumes, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new perspective into the story. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Nina Khrushcheva, family members of the men that, over two tense weeks, held the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What was the Russians planning? What was the United States planning?" questions Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter who is also a professor of global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the podcast lies in its attempt to question: "How can nations hate each other and go against one another?"

"It struck me how remarkable it is that humans can be allies or can become total enemies," states Kennedy, the son of RFK, nephew of JFK and currently an author as well as attorney. "We see this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, and it just illustrates the sheer folly it is to fight."

The Brink of Disaster

What’s remarkable about this event is that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved closer to catastrophe. Nonetheless, the threat of annihilation came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"Virtually everyone among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck Cuba with the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would've sunk the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. In turn, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on the planet."

The fact this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads and engaging in diplomacy when many advisors in their governments were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from Cuba and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American missiles from Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by the sense of hope.

A Divergent Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days of October 1962, the tension was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts came into the world shortly after these events, with Nina being taught about it through the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, describing it as a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, people really didn’t know that much about it, since it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always fine or sunny."

Within the Khrushchev household, though, it was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant occasion for the USSR, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. The leaders managed to resolve it, thus avoided the war, seen as a wonderful thing," she continues. Later on, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a failure for Khrushchev, simply he refrained from destroying America."

An Unlikely Partnership

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known outcome. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most significant thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for descendants of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. That these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm with each other, must be seen as a symbol of progress.

"Max and I aren't the first," notes Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, a relative moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Max. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and now we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Finally, after nearly 60 years of almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting global relations is more secure, a little bit."

Contemporary Echoes with Present Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series seems so urgent is that we now are living living through dark times. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders appear not to have the capacity to comprehend