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.
Road to Damascus? Ammar Kahf, Executive Director of the Omran Center for Strategic Studies
A year ago, after the fall of the Assad government, Syria seemed well poised for a new beginning. With Russia and Iran out, and Türkiye and Saudi Arabia squarely in, the path forward appeared clear and unobstructed — that is, until the US-Israeli attack on Iran and its asymmetrical response threw the whole region off balance. Which road is Damascus likely to take next? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Ammar Kahf, Executive Director of the Omran Center for Strategic Studies.
Competence Gulf? Daniel Levy, president of the US/Middle East Project
The US-Israeli attack against Iran and its asymmetrical response have created upheaval in the global energy markets and long-term uncertainty about how the markets and the international system will function in the future. With geopolitical actors increasingly allowing themselves to behave outside any legal, moral, or logical constraints, what is left to preserve and encourage international cooperation or even peaceful coexistence? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Daniel Levy, president of the US/Middle East Project. This interview was held on the sidelines of the 2026 Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Strong talk, weak walk? Mehmet Ozkan, professor of international relations, Turkish National Defense University
The conflict in Iran is still far from over, but the Israeli military establishment is increasingly worried about ‘another big enemy’ – this time Türkiye, which is supposedly set on increasing its influence in the Middle East, particularly in the niches left open by a weakened Iran. With Israel’s security concerns or expansionist appetites seemingly unabated, what could the new regional balance look like? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Mehmet Ozkan, professor of international relations at the Turkish National Defense University.
Epic fury, epic fail? Alam Saleh, Senior Lecturer in Iranian Studies, Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies, ANU
Promising to wipe out a whole civilization and asking for God’s blessing for the Great People of Iran — this now historic post by President Trump seems to have set in motion a peace-making process that may cool tensions in the Middle East for at least two weeks. Is it enough, though, to leave the realm of epic fury and create the conditions for normal, ordinary diplomacy? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Alam Saleh, Senior Lecturer in Iranian Studies at the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Australian National University.
Opting for pain? Max Otte, Economist
NATO’s first secretary general famously said that the bloc’s purpose was to keep the Russians out and the Germans down. The war in Ukraine seems to have fully accomplished this goal but is it enough to keep the Americans in? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Max Otte, a German economist, entrepreneur, and political activist.
Frenemy feud? Kanica Rakhra, Assistant Professor of International Relations & Global Affairs
With friends like these, who needs enemies? This phrase, attributed to the late 20th century American comedian Joey Adams, has already become the ethos of 21st century geopolitics. The US-Israeli attack on Iran has created existential problems for American allies in the Gulf and, simultaneously, delivered an unexpected economic bonus to rivals like Russia, which, for now at least, can carry on with exporting oil without the overhang of US sanctions. Where will it at all lead? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Kanica Rakhra, an Assistant Professor of International Relations and Global Affairs at the Kautilya School of Public Policy.