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.
Nuclear regression? Karen Hallberg, Secretary General of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
Just a week before his death, Albert Einstein came together with Bertrand Russell to sign a manifesto warning about the dangers of nuclear weapons and the need for a new way of thinking, if humanity indeed wants to survive. Fast-forward 70 years and even the old way of reasoning now seems like an out-of-reach luxury, with binding limits on nuclear arsenals no longer standing and military force becoming the primary means of engaging an adversary. What’s the way forward? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Karen Hallberg, an Argentine physicist and Secretary General of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.
Washington, third Rome? Marco Carnelos, former Italian diplomat
After seven months of blockade, counter-blockade and a failed ceasefire, the Gulf remains a vivid symbol of how wasteful, pointless, and stuck geopolitics has become. The billions of dollars spent on showy weapons deals haven’t protected the Saudis or their American patrons from material and reputational damage, but that doesn’t seem enough to inspire a change of course. What will? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Marco Carnelos, a former Italian diplomat and CEO of MC Geopolicy.
Salvaging reason? Anil Trigunayat, former Indian ambassador
For decades, Indian diplomacy favored the path of non-confrontation and measured engagement, which allowed it to be both amicable and distant with most international players. And while this has helped India avoid direct conflicts, the consequences have caught up with it, especially in West Asia, as the confrontation between Iran and the US continues to ripple across the region. What does this mean for India’s strategy going forward? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian ambassador to several countries.
Align to malign? Alberto Togni, member of the Council of the Swiss Communist Party
Name a country that is neither a member of NATO nor the EU, yet still takes part in the former’s military exercises and the latter’s sanctions. It’s Switzerland, a country that has had neutrality enshrined in its constitution since 1848. With the Swiss set to vote on how that principle should be applied in the future, what does it even mean to be neutral in 2026? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Alberto Togni, a member of the Council of the Swiss Communist Party.
Fight & fly? Chezka Gonzales, Filipino entrepreneur, pilot, and female empowerment advocate
For decades, multitasking, or ‘having it all’, has been praised as both a necessity and a privilege of modern life. Originating in the West, it quickly spread around the globe, especially to the fast-growing economies of the East. It creates prosperity but also takes away from things such as family bonds and traditional culture. Can the two be bridged? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Chezka Gonzales, a Filipino entrepreneur, pilot, and female empowerment advocate.
Neutral bias? Benoit Pare, former OSCE observer in Ukraine
After nine months of inactivity, the possibility of mediating the Ukraine conflict has once again hit the news. A number of foreign leaders called on Moscow to give it a thought and a try, while Kiev’s backers have come up with another ultimatum-like proposal. Does this conflict have a meaningful chance of being resolved at the negotiating table? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Benoit Pare, a former OSCE Observer in Ukraine and author of ‘What I Saw in Ukraine: 2015-2022 – Diary of an International Observer.’