At the Lights? Ft. Werner Patzelt, Emeritus Professor of Comparative Government

Dec 5, 2021 • Like her trademark jackets, Angela Merkel’s political style came in one shape and size but all colours of the rainbow. Measured and at times even dull, she nonetheless managed to steer Germany and Europe through many upheavals. Can the traffic light coalition, now poised to replace her, do the same without running into red at every corner? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Werner Patzelt, Emeritus Professor of Comparative Government at Dresden Technical University.

Russia Today: Worlds Apart: One & Only No More? Ft. Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director at the CCEIS* at the HSE (University)

Playing hard to get has long been an underlying rationale of US foreign policy, it’s no secret that the Americans view themselves as an indispensable nation, talking to which is both an imperative and a dispensed grace to any other nation. Does it apply to Russia? Should Moscow continue walking alongside Washington while it chews its gum, occasionally popping it in Russia’s face? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director at the Center for Comprehensive European and Intl. Studies at HSE

• Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies

Iron Iran? Ft. Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister

There’s an old Persian saying that “when there’s fire, dry and wet burn together”. It could be an apt description of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected every country on the planet but Iran and the United States - more than others. Can this new invisible adversary, which upended so many things in our lives, shake up their sworn and tired enmity? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif.

Tricks of Treats? Ft. Tim Noakes, Prominent South African Athlete & Scientist

There are times in life when much of what you hold as truth is debunked, when the sweetest of treats turn out to be the worst of poisons and when you realize that the people who took the oath of doing no harm, in fact, made you or your loved ones sicker. Such a realization has already arrived or is in store for millions of people around the world suffering from insulin resistance, a condition that wrecks the body’s metabolic and immune systems and often condemns people to a poor life and an awful death. How to see through these sweet lies before it’s too late? To discuss this Oksana is joined by Tim Noakes, founder of The Noakes Foundation.

Arrogance of Ignorance? Featuring Richard Dawkins, Evolutionary Biologist (2017)

Despite the unprecedented pace of scientific breakthroughs, humanity still seems to be as far away from the age of reason as ever. With religious extremism and political infantilism spreading across the globe, often aiding one another, has governance based on critical thinking already become a delusion? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist.

Arrogance of Ignorance? Ft. Richard Dawkins, Evolutionary Biologist

Despite the unprecedented pace of scientific breakthroughs, humanity still seems to be as far away from the age of reason as ever. With religious extremism and political infantilism spreading across the globe, often aiding one another, has governance based on critical thinking already become a delusion? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist.

Conversion by Aversion? Featuring Arnoud van Doorn, Former Member of the Dutch Freedom Party

As far-right parties obsess about the danger Islam presents to the western lifestyle, some Islamic scholars are increasingly concerned about the danger the western lifestyle presents to Islam. Arnoud van Doorn argues that if moderate Muslims don’t step up their game, within the next 20 to 40 years, Islam may be gone from Europe. Are those fears really justified? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Arnoud van Doorn, a former member of the Dutch Freedom Party who converted to Islam and a representative of the Party of Unity in The Hague City Council.

Conversion by Aversion? Featuring Arnoud van Doorn, Former Member of the Dutch Freedom Party

Katie Hopkins Talks to Worlds Apart about London, Sadiq Khan and Russia

Worlds Apart: German Elections – Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs

Germany is soon going to the polls for an election that most probably won’t change much, but will mean a whole lot. This is because the country, which once was blamed for destroying Europe, is now tasked with saving it. How well are the Germans coping in balancing their guilt for Europe's past with their sense of responsibility for its future? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Worlds Apart: Donald Manzullo, President of the Korea Economic Institute of America

The North Korean situation has long favoured the status quo as the lesser evil, the prospect of war seemed much worse than anything Pyongyang was capable of. But over the past year, two things changed - North Korea got new technology and the United States got a new president. With all the bluster about a nuclear blast, is the status quo still sustainable for everybody involved? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Donald Manzullo, President of the Korea Economic Institute of America.

Worlds Apart: Arrogance of Ignorance? – Richard Dawkins, Evolutionary Biologist

Despite the unprecedented pace of scientific breakthroughs, humanity still seems to be as far away from the age of reason as ever. With religious extremism and political infantilism spreading across the globe, often aiding one another, has governance based on critical thinking already become a delusion? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist. The interview was held at the St. Petersburg Geek Picnic 2017

Worlds Apart on Trump, Putin – Oksana Is Joined by Herbert London

The outgoing US ambassador to Russia has given a series of farewell interviews on the state of US-Russia relations, which all comes down to two major points: “we have a problem” and “Russia needs to fix it.” Blaming the other is a common behavioral strategy in kindergarten, but does it stand a chance in today’s global politics? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Herbert London, president of the London Center for Policy Research.

Dr. Herbert London »

Is the Honeymoon Over? Oksana Talks to Konstantin Kosachev, Russian Senator

The first European outing of the Trump team at the Munich Security Conference has left everybody wanting. The US allies - jittery over Trump's campaign pledges - weren't reassured by the lukewarm expressions of solidarity, while the Russians - hopeful of a new beginning - didn't hear much to support it. What is the Trump administration up to? To explore this, Oksana is joined by member of the Russian Parliament and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev.

Don, Bibi, Vlad? Shlomo Ben-Ami, Former Israeli Foreign Minister

As Donald Trump prepares for his meeting with the Israeli prime minister next week, the White House has already moderated many of its earlier pledges. Moving the US embassy to Jerusalem is no longer a priority, while the expansion of settlements, though not openly criticized, has been described as not necessarily helpful. How will Trump's firebrand politics affect the conflagration of the Middle East? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Shlomo Ben-Ami, former foreign minister of Israel and Vice-President of the Toledo International Centre for Peace.

Shlomo Ben-Ami »

American Perestroika? Jack Matlock, Former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union

From mistrust to indifference to obsession - the American policy toward Russia has gone through many stages over the last few decades but never settled into a calm and pragmatic partnership. Is that now an option under the new US president? To discuss that, Oksana is joined by former U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Jack Matlock.

Worlds Apart: John Limbert, Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran

It's become an accepted wisdom in geopolitics that nations don't have permanent friends, only permanent interests, but that seems even truer about enemies. With Turkey mending ties with Israel and the United States in talks with Russia, is permanent enmity becoming a thing of the past? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by John Limbert, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran and one of the captives during the Iranian hostage crisis.

Worlds Apart: Together Not Forever?

It's been more than 40 years since the EU and the UK took their marriage vows, long enough to solidify any union. And yet the pledge to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, is apparently no more... Is it for better or for worse? For richer or for poorer? To discuss, Oksana is joined by Enrico Letta, former Italian prime minister and dean of the Paris School of International Affairs.

Worlds Apart: Attempted Coup – Yasar Yakis, Former Foreign Minister of Turkey

The whole world was caught off guard by the attempted military coup in Turkey, but what followed afterwards has been no less dramatic. Mass arrests of the military, judges, and journalists, on terrorism-related charges, have brought the word "purge" back into the geopolitical vocabulary but what does the future hold for Turkey? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Yasar Yakis, a former Foreign Minister of Turkey.

‪Worlds Apart: A Midsummer Nightmare?‬

For many of us around the world, the summer of 2016 has become a period of seeing British politics in a whole new light. Previously perceived as boring and antiquated, it now delivers breaking news about breaking ranks at breakneck pace. From Brexit to the cascading of the British political class - how does it look from the inside? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Dr Vince Cable, former business secretary to Prime Minister David Cameron.