Worlds Apart is a fast-paced, in-depth discussion on the most pressing issues facing the world today.It strives to depart from the traditional Q&A form of interview in favor of a more emotive and engaging conversation. Host Oksana Boyko is not afraid to ask the hard questions that others avoid, with the aim of promoting intelligent public debate.
Found & lost? Robert Barnes, lawyer & political commentator
In his drive to make America great again, US President Donald Trump has promised to democratize American governance and make ordinary Americans stakeholders in their own system, but a year into his second term, many in his own party are accusing the White House of arrogance and of betraying America First priorities. Why is it so hard for America to bridge the divide between preaching and practicing? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Robert Barnes, a lawyer and political commentator.
Stores of stories? Gita Wirjawan, Former Indonesian Minister of Trade
“My way or the highway” seems like a very limiting and rather bare-knuckle ultimatum, but as the rivalry between China and the United States gathers momentum, it’s increasingly being pushed on nations in Asia and beyond. Where is the continent likely to pivot as the drive to both upset and benefit from its development intensifies? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Gita Wirjawan, an Indonesian entrepreneur and the country’s former Minister of Trade.
Whitewashing brains? Chandran Nair, Founder of the Global Institute for Tomorrow
From the medieval crusades to recover the Holy Land to modern-day militarized efforts to impose democracy, Western positioning vis-a-vis other peoples, historically, has long been messianic in word and exploitative in action. As the rest of the world rises to claim its own destiny and its own ways of being and governing, where does it leave the self-proclaimed global leaders? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Chandran Nair, founder of the Global Institute for Tomorrow and author of 'Dismantling Global White Privilege: Equity for a Post-Western World'.
Dumbenomics? Igor Makarov, head of the School of World Economy, HSE, Moscow
The American political and economic debate may have been reduced to slogans on bumper stickers, but the state and the course of the US economy still remain a crucial factor that other countries have to take into account in charting their own development. What’s the outlook? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Igor Makarov, the head of the School of World Economy at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow.
Great, greater or greatest? Rajat Ganguly, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs
Great, greater, the greatest. The Trump administration isn’t shy about touting its achievements on the domestic or global stage, but, putting self-adulation aside, what structural influence does it have on great-power politics? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Rajat Ganguly, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs.
Ill-liberals? Petr Drulak, former deputy foreign minister of the Czech Republic
Historically, Central and Eastern Europe have been the arena of both fierce competition and pragmatic collaboration for Russia and the West. With the latest Donald Trump proposal and subsequent refusal to hold another US-Russia summit on European soil, in Budapest, can the conflict in Ukraine be dislodged from its literal dead-end? We ask Petr Drulak, former deputy foreign minister of the Czech Republic.