Following almost destroying the planet, our relatives have become friends’: a gripping podcast from John F. Kennedy & Nikita Khrushchev’s descendants.

In October 1962, the planet came nearer to destruction than at any other point in the contemporary era. This occurred when an American surveillance plane found the fact that Soviet nuclear weapon bases were under construction in the island of Cuba, a mere 100 miles from the US mainland. In response, President John F Kennedy ordered a naval task force to enact a naval quarantine encircling Cuba. The ensuing period constituted nearly two weeks of impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The threat was palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Premier Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a chain reaction involving global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have ensued, plunging humanity toward all-out oblivion.

This pivotal 1962 event has been examined extensively, through volumes, movies, and television programmes. However, in its latest installment, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought an unprecedented perspective to this historical narrative. It is co-presented by Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, relatives of the figures who, over 13 days, grasped the destiny of humanity in their hands.

"What were the Soviet side planning? What was the American side considering?" ponders Khrushcheva, the Soviet leader's great-granddaughter who is also an academic of international affairs.

For her, the beauty of the podcast is its attempt to explore: "How can nations hate one another and oppose one another?"

"It struck me how profound it is that humans can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, the son of Robert Kennedy, related to the late president and currently a writer as well as lawyer. "We see this dynamic over and over in instances where countries have gone to war, demonstrating how unbelievably stupid it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is notable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it transpired in the global spotlight, individuals globally were able to observe almost in real time while it moved closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of annihilation was more imminent than most people realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House were advocating for a military strike and an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "If we had attacked Cuba using the Sixth Fleet, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have launched a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, which would have destroyed our aircraft carriers as well as destroyed America's primary fleet. And, we would have retaliated with massive retaliation that would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality this did not occur highlights the composure of both leaders, who managed to remain calm and engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors around them was pushing for military action. As a result, Khrushchev removed the nuclear weapons from the Caribbean island and President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew American missiles based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was immense, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Perspective

Still, for those two weeks in October, the tension was palpable globally. The podcast's presenters came into the world in the years following these events, with Khrushcheva learned about the crisis through the USSR's education system, which portrayed an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your parent recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," she says. "However in the Soviet Union, the public really didn’t know a great deal about it, because it was a crisis, whereas in the Soviet Union we were told that things are constantly wonderful and positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, and avoided a global war, which was a wonderful thing," she adds. In the years to come, however, that interpretation was not shared by all Russians. "For decades in Russian politics, the crisis was viewed as a setback for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

This podcast is remarkably even-handed , expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to contributions from renowned scholars. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking thing is the participation of the hosts themselves. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the USSR to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a symbol of progress.

"Max and I are not the pioneers," notes Nina. "After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, my uncle moved to America where he formed a close bond with Dwight Eisenhower’s children."

"However we had never met prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "Which is a shame because we got along really well and we’re friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the planet, our families have become friends, suggesting the world is safer, a little bit."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of why this series feels so necessary is because we now are living living through dark times. The symbolic clock of doom stands nearer to midnight in its history, in part because world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to learn