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

In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer to destruction more so than ever in the contemporary era. This transpired after an American reconnaissance aircraft found the fact that Soviet atomic weapon installations were under construction in Cuba, less than 160 kilometers off the coast of the United States. In response, President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to establish a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly two weeks filled with extreme stress.

An Catastrophic Danger

The threat remained obvious. Should President Kennedy, or else his Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack on their enemy, a series of worldwide atomic attacks and retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging civilization toward all-out ruination.

The Cuban missile crisis has been covered extensively, through books, movies, as well as TV documentaries. However, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented element to this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the leaders that, for 13 days, controlled the fate of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side thinking? What were the United States considering?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's descendant who is also a professor of global relations.

For her, the unique appeal of the show lies in its attempt to explore: "Why do people detest each other to the point they go against one another?"

"It was not lost on me how profound the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become complete enemies," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, nephew of the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly in instances where nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

The Precipice of Catastrophe

What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis was that, since it unfolded in the global spotlight, citizens globally were able to observe almost in real time as it moved towards catastrophe. Even so, the threat of destruction was more imminent than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors wanted a military strike and a ground invasion," notes Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans using the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have sunk our naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important fleet. And, the U.S. would have retaliated through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on the planet."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, they succeeded in keep their heads while engaging in diplomacy when many advisors around them were advocating military action. As a result, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (although not reported at the time) withdrew his missiles from Turkey. The sense of relief was worldwide, as was the sense of hope.

A Different Viewpoint

Still, for those 13 days in October, the fear was palpable globally. The podcast's co-hosts came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Khrushcheva being taught about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which presented a slightly different narrative of what happened.

"You said your parent remembers it, and it was a frightening time," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, the public were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, whereas under the Soviet system we were told that things are always fine and sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, though, it was different. "They told me what a great occasion for the USSR, as it was a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Subsequently, however, that view was not held by everybody. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a defeat for Khrushchev, because he refrained from destroying the United States."

A Unprecedented Partnership

This podcast is so even-handed and expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew the ending. This effect is, in part, due to contributions from historians. But, really, the most momentous thing remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was unthinkable for relatives of the leaders of America and USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and be so warm toward one another, has to be a sign of optimism.

"Max and I aren't the pioneers," smiles Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we were strangers prior to this project," clarifies Max. "That is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, something that is wonderful. Ultimately, following nearly 60 years of almost destroying the world, our lineages have become allies, suggesting the world is more secure, somewhat."

Contemporary Echoes and Current Dangers

Is that truly the case? One reason the reason The Bomb seems so urgent is because we once again are living in dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to catastrophe in its history, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to grasp