Worlds Apart

No guarantee insurance? Yusuf Erim, political analyst

It’s a defensive alliance that destroyed several countries. A union of the like-minded who can’t agree on what the main threats are. And the epitome of military might said to be both in great shape and brain dead at the same time. As NATO celebrates its 70th anniversary, isn’t it finally time for it to think about retirement or, at least, a change of course? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Yusuf Erim, political analyst for Turkey’s state-run broadcaster TRT World.

Neighbors from hell? Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs

Just as the Canadians or the Chileans have long griped about the United States appropriating the words ‘America’ and ‘American’ for itself, so too have the Russians regarding the European Union calling itself and only itself Europe. As the EU (like the US) comes to reassess what it is and what it stands for, what does it mean for those sharing the continent with it? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of ‘Russia in Global Affairs’.

Same old? Dmitri Drobnitski, Russian journalist

Three years after the election of Donald Trump, his political opponents have spared no effort in trying to truncate his presidency. From the Kremlin-agent smear to the abuser-of-office charge, nothing so far has proven strong enough to shorten his first term. Will the Democrats attempt more of the same to prevent Trump from running again? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Dmitri Drobnitski, a Russian journalist.

HOOKS & CROOKS? Edward Lozansky, president of the World Russia Forum

The US House of Representatives may have wrapped up the first round of impeachment hearings against President Trump but it’s certainly not done with trying to oust him. There are already plans for new impeachment proceedings in connection with the Mueller report and possibly dozens of other leads which Trump’s opponents hope to explore. Is that a viable strategy against the 45th president of the United States or is it playing directly into his hands? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Edward Lozansky, president of the World Russia Forum and commentator on US-Russia relations.

Unfinished business? Milorad Dodik, Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The partition of Yugoslavia, once thought to be a closed chapter, has come back with a vengeance. From diplomatic sabotage between Serbia and Kosovo, to governance paralysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Balkans are still struggling with old grievances, while eagerly raising new ones. Could this period of bad peace result in yet another war? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Milorad Dodik, Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The bigger the worse? Dusan Pavlovic, associate professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade

Over the last three decades, the European Union has seen its enlargement as a way of killing at least two birds with one stone – helping its eastern neighbors to democratize while also keeping them firmly within its geopolitical and diplomatic orbit. Why has the bigger failed to be the better? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Dusan Pavlovic, associate professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade.