Worlds Apart

Frenzy to the fire? Arvind Gupta, Director of the Vivekananda International Foundation

Global politics has never been particularly orderly or predictable but the recent American elections and their aftermath are likely to add even more frenzy to the already boiling geopolitical cauldron. As the United States gears up for another four years of deep polarization at home, can the rest of the world draw closer, if nothing else, to protect itself from the fits/outbursts of the retiring hegemon? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Arvind Gupta, Director of the Vivekananda International Foundation.

This interview was held on the sidelines of the 21st Annual Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi.

Fired & hired? Richard Sakwa, professor emeritus of Russian & European politics

French politician and historian Alexis de Tocqueville, best known for his work ‘Democracy in America’, warned two centuries ago about how a dynamic and self-powered democratic system can decay and become the total opposite of its founding values, with mild despotism and the appearance of choice replacing individual thought and authentic liberty. Still, he said, the greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults. Does this hold true today? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Richard Sakwa, professor emeritus of Russian and European politics at the University of Kent.

This interview was held on the sidelines of the 21st Annual Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi.

Blaming for granted? Wilmer Leon, political scientist

American presidential elections have always been more about personalities than policy issues and perhaps that makes sense, because the policies haven’t differed much from one administration to the next, at least not during this century. But given that the status quo is increasingly hard to sustain, can 2024 indeed change how the US public sees politics and who or what it takes for granted? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Wilmer Leon, an American political scientist.

BRICS of success? Dejan Soskic, former governor of the National Bank of Serbia

The last three years of Western economic warfare against Russia haven’t yet delivered a fatal blow to the Kremlin, but they have dramatically changed the functioning of the global, and particularly, the Western economies. Escaping Washington’s friendly fire and cutting losses are now preoccupying concerns for America’s allies, while the rest of the world is actively experimenting with new ways of doing business outside Western bondage. Where are we heading from here? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Dejan Soskic, a professor at Belgrade University’s Faculty of Economics and former Governor of the National Bank of Serbia.

Fake identity, fake agenda? Anuradha Chenoy, Professor Emerita at Jawaharlal Nehru University

Identity politics has long been American politicians’ preferred way of deflecting from the real issues at home but, overseas, it’s been used as a powerful tool to sew chaos and ensure American influence. Why does turning neighbors against each other still work, despite all the records of destruction and bloodshed associated with it? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Anuradha Chenoy, Professor Emerita at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Liberal with cruelty? Lawrence Wilkerson, retired US Army colonel

America’s claim to global dominance, at least on the rhetorical surface, was meant to safeguard humanity from falling into the abyss of chaos and abject cruelty. That’s what liberal values, rights, and rules so obstinately foisted onto other nations were supposed to achieve only a few years ago, but nowadays this discourse seems to be falling out of fashion. What will replace it as the justification for ruling the world? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Lawrence Wilkerson, retired US Army colonel and former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell.