Following almost annihilating the world, our families are friends’: the gripping audio series featuring JFK & Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives.

In the month of October 1962, the world edged nearer to ruin than at any other point in recent history. This transpired following the discovery that a US surveillance aircraft identified that Soviet atomic missile sites were being built in the island of Cuba, less than 100 miles off the coast of American soil. Reacting to this, U.S. President JFK directed a naval task force to enact a naval blockade encircling Cuba. The ensuing period was almost 14 days of unbearable stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The peril was palpable. Should Kennedy, or the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, were to fire against the other side, a chain reaction involving worldwide atomic attacks followed by retaliatory strikes could have followed, casting humanity toward all-out destruction.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, films, as well as TV documentaries. But, for its third season, the BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" presents a novel element into the story. The series is co-presented by Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, relatives belonging to the men who, over two tense weeks, grasped the fate of the world within their grasp.

"What was the Kremlin considering? What were the United States considering?" questions Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant and an academic specializing in global relations.

In her view, the unique appeal of the show lies in its endeavor to objectively ask: "How can nations detest one another and confront each other?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular it is that people can be allies or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK and now an author as well as attorney. "History shows this dynamic repeatedly when nations have gone to war, demonstrating the sheer folly involved to engage in warfare."

A Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What’s striking about the Cuban missile crisis is that, since it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally were able to observe nearly as it happened as it edged closer to disaster. Even so, the threat of destruction came closer than what anybody understood at the time.

"The overwhelming majority among Kennedy's advisors were advocating for an airstrike and an invasion," explains Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, it is certain the Russians on the ground would've launched a nuclear warhead at the American ships, and that would've obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed our largest and most important naval force. And, we would have retaliated with an overwhelming counterattack that would have eradicated most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy when everyone in their governments demanded action. As a result, The Soviet premier agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons in the Caribbean island and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) withdrew American similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was worldwide, matched by a feeling of optimism.

The Different Viewpoint

Yet, during those 13 days in October, the anxiety was felt globally. The podcast's co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, with Khrushcheva learned about it through the USSR's education system, which painted an alternative version of what happened.

"As you mentioned your father remembers it, and it was a scary time," Khrushcheva notes. "However for Soviet citizens, people were largely unaware a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, and in the Soviet Union we were told that everything was always fine or sunny."

Inside the Khrushchev household, however, the perspective was distinct. "They told me what a great occasion it was, because it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to resolve it, thus avoided a global war, seen as a wonderful outcome," she continues. In the years to come, though, that perspective would not be shared by all Russians. "For decades within Russian historical analysis, it was considered a setback for Khrushchev, because he didn’t blow up America."

A Unprecedented Collaboration

This podcast is so balanced , expertly crafted that Nina quips it almost made her forget she already knew outcome. This is, in part, due to the participation of historians. Yet, really, the most groundbreaking aspect is the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it would be unthinkable that relatives of the leaders of America and the Soviet Union would appear side by side. That Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva can do that, and be so warm with each other, has to be a sign of progress.

"We are not the first," smiles Nina. "Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, a relative moved to America and became great friends with the former president's family."

"But we had never met before the podcast," adds Kennedy. "Which is unfortunate because we got along immediately and we’re friends, which is really great. Finally, after almost 60 years of nearly annihilating the planet, our lineages have become friends, suggesting global relations is safer, somewhat."

Contemporary Parallels with Current Perils

Is that truly the case? Part of the reason this series seems so urgent is that we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, in part because today's statesmen don’t seem to have the capacity to learn