Worlds Apart: Robert Spencer, Jihad Watch Director Interviewed by Oksana about Islamic Terror and the Jihad

A recent US report blamed Russia for the failure to prevent the Boston Marathon bombing, despite multiple warnings given to US authorities. And while the need for a foreign scapegoat is clear, perhaps the blame lies closer to home. What's fueling the global Jihad? Is it US foreign policy or Islam itself? Oksana is joined by Robert Spencer, an author and director of Jihad Watch, to untangle these issues.

Worlds Apart: 'Turkey Losing Its Democracy, Turning Authoritarian': Zaman Editor

Turkey has long been revered as a beacon of democracy in the Muslim world, but the corruption scandal rocking the nation has led to a clampdown by its government. And with the grip tightening on the judiciary, Internet and even Twitter, Turkey's civil society is being put to the test. Will the country live up to its democratic reputation or will it take an authoritarian turn? Oksana is joined by a senior editor at Today's Zaman, Sevgi Akarcesme, to examine these issues.

WIKI: Gülen movement »

Worlds Apart: 'US Thinks Rules Are for Inferior Nations, It's In Their DNA' – Ex-Australian PM

Kosovo's secession demonstrated that international law is only as applicable as the force used to back it. But with Crimea now free on the wings of that precedent, the West cries foul. Why does the Western world fail to recognize parallels between Kosovo and Crimea? Is it a case of double standards or the result of decades of adversarial EU and NATO policies towards Russia? Oksana is joined by former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser to canvass these issues.

THE GUARDIAN: Ukraine: there's no way out unless the west understands its past mistakes: Western leaders mostly paint the whole dispute as totally one-sided: it is all Russia’s fault. But the Crimea crisis is directly related to the misguided steps taken after the Soviet Union’s fall » | Malcolm Fraser | Monday, March 03, 2014

THE WASHINGTON POST: How the Ukraine crisis ends » | Henry A. Kissinger | Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Clash of Russia & NATO Interests? Khrushchev's Great-granddaughter Talks Crimea

Russia has been at the centre of heavy criticism for its policies on Crimea. And while the region moves toward self-determination, the West calls for punishment and declares the will of its people illegitimate. Does Russia have the right to protect legitimate interests on its doorstep, or is the protection of interests a privilege reserved solely for Western powers with traditionally global aspirations? Oksana is joined by Dr Nina Khrushcheva, a [Senior] Fellow of the World Policy Institute, to discuss these issues.

WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE: Nina Krushcheva »

Worlds Apart: 'US Economic Leverage Against Russia Limited': Dr Angela Stent

Russian - U.S. relations have always been a fragile mix of rivalry and pragmatism. And as the Ukraine crisis highlighted, bursts of cooperation achieved by 'resetting' the relations, are easily undone. Can the two powers find common ground on Ukraine or will their relationship continue to 'overload'? Oksana is joined by Dr Angela Stent, the Director of the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, to unravel these issues.

Amr Moussa: Arab Spring Has Not Improved Economy or Brought Stability to Egypt

The Arab Spring turned North Africa and the Middle East upside down, bringing with it hopes for change and a brighter future for millions. Three years down the track, tens of thousands have been killed, Syria and Libya lie in ruins, and Egypt's first democratically-elected president has been deposed in a military coup. Was it all worth it? Are violent revolutions really the best way to bring about change? Amr Moussa, the former Secretary-General of the Arab League, joins Oksana to unravel these issues.

'We Chose Democracy & Human Rights over Banks' – Iceland President to RT

As Iceland's banking system went into meltdown at the start of the global financial crisis, it came under enormous pressure from the rest of Europe to accept crippling austerity measures that would have burdened its people for generations to come. And yet the tiny island nation stood up to the European Goliath, defiantly opting for democracy even as it stood on the brink of bankruptcy. What can Iceland teach the world about the power of the people and the rule of law? To discuss these issues, Oksana is joined by the President of Iceland, Olafur Grimsson.

Gaddafi Trial -- Like Father, Like Son?

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of Libya's deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi, is set to go on trial in Tripoli today. Libya's new authorities insist that it will be fair and not a 'Mickey Mouse' trial, all the while refusing to extradite Saif to face charges in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Can he really expect justice and a fate different from his father's in a country that is on the brink of anarchy? And does the international community have the political will to enforce justice in what is increasingly perceived to be its toothless paper tiger? John Jones, Saif al-Islam's lawyer in the ICC, joins Oksana to mull over these issues.

Is War Biggest Crime Committed in Syria against Syrians?

As the UN Independent Commission on Syria releases yet another report, one thing is painfully clear: both sides have committed countless war crimes and atrocities, with no end in sight to the hostilities. How independent and impartial can the Commission be, with so much at stake? Vitit Muntarbhorn, one of the authors of the report, joins Oksana in this special edition of Worlds Apart.

Syria: Is It Worth Risking Human Lives for the Sake of Human Rights?

Chemical weapons have horrified mankind since their first widespread use almost a century ago. The world has come to recognize their use as a flagrant violation of international law. As the US once again beats the drums of war towards Syria, we ask how justified such an intervention is, given the conflicting evidence and the widespread opposition to it. Will a strike help stop the war, or will it drag the whole region into a more brutal and protracted conflict? To wrestle over these issues, Oksana is joined by Kenneth Roth, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch.