Worlds Apart

Oh, those Russians!? Evgeny Primakov, Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo

If you look at the portrayal of Russia in Western media outlets from the 19th century onward, it’s almost invariably presented as a crude, barbaric force ready to gobble, maim, or destroy without scruples or hesitation. The conflict in Ukraine seems to have enhanced that image even further, at least in the perception of western audiences. Does it make sense to even try to clear Russia’s name? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Evgeny Primakov, head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation.

This show was recorded on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2022.

Global segregation? Rasigan Maharajh, economist at Tshwane University of Technology

One of the leaders of the Indian national movement famously said that freedom is not given, it’s taken, including the freedom to chart your own course as a people or as a nation. In a world that’s increasingly segregated across political, economic and cultural lines, what’s the price of such freedom? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Rasigan Maharajh, Chief Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation at Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa.

The show was recorded on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2022.

Freezing but pleasing? Aleksey Chekunkov, minister for the development of the Russian Far East and Arctic

For years, Russian strategists have mused about the development of Russia’s northern and eastern frontiers as one of the key drivers for the country’s economic growth and security – which, however, requires access to the world’s best technology. With the West cutting most ties with Moscow over Ukraine, will those dreams have to be put on ice? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Aleksey Chekunkov, minister for the development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.

This show was recorded on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2022.

Monsoon of crises? Ahilan Kadirgamar, political economist & senior lecturer at the University of Jaffna

The conflict in Ukraine may still be dominating the news, but it’s not the only calamity in the world, nor the worst. Sri Lanka is currently in the midst of the direst economic and political crisis in its history, and there are fears that more nations could go down the same path as the global economy continues to falter. How contagious is it? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Ahilan Kadirgamar, political economist and senior lecturer at the University of Jaffna.

Pains, strains & no gains? Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization

As the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu said more than two and a half thousand years ago, “if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” But what if you don’t? The conflict in Ukraine has already led to a plethora of unforeseen strains on the global economy, and analysts warn that the worst is yet to come. How well do the proclaimed enemies in this war understand their aims and limitations? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Victor Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization.

Liberty of colonialism? Shahida Wizarat, professor at the Institute of Business Management in Karachi

The end of colonialism is often celebrated as one of the few silver linings of the Second World War. The explicit political and economic subjugation of one people by another became not only logistically difficult, but morally reprehensible. Yet, if we look at the ability of countries to pursue their own path and make decisions in the best interests of their own people today, have we really departed from the figurative pith helmet? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Shahida Wizarat, professor at the Institute of Business Management in Karachi, Pakistan.

This interview took place on the sidelines of the first Russian-Pakistani expert dialogue between the Valdai Discussion Club and Pakistan House Analytical Centre.