Abstract: This article is built around the phenomenon of "imperialism" and represents an understanding of the role of the object under study in modern international relations. The aim of the work is a theoretical definition of the essence of imperialism as a phenomenon in world history and world politics. The author analyzed imperialism from the point of view of two of the three main paradigms of international relations – Marxism and political realism, and within the framework of the second mentioned paradigm tried to form a new concept of imperialism in the theory of international relations, which would be less ideologized, but an equal alternative to the Marxist view. It is noteworthy that the author deliberately did not use the works of pioneer researchers of the phenomenon under study and focused on more modern, relevant and less well-known works that already show the dynamics of the development of scientific research. The author comes to the conclusion that, from the point of view of two paradigms analyzed in detail, the modern world can be called imperialistic, and imperialism is inextricably linked with the system of international relations and the current world order. The main achievement of this work is the development of the author's concept of imperialism, created with respect and based on the research of non-Marxist predecessors. It should also be argued that some scenarios of the collapse of such an order can be perceived by Marxists as the collapse of imperialism, but for another paradigm only the final fall of all powers can mean its collapse. The author also admits that imperialism of the new world order will evolve to its new state, acquire new levers, forms, and will be characterized by a different set of methods.

Abstract: This article examines the relevant topic of Germany-Russia relations. The goal is set to analyze the German perception of these relations through the prism of specific German national identity. The key task lies in studying the German identity and its reflection in foreign policy of the Federal Republic of Germany with regards to the Russian Federation. The author believes that German identity is a crucial factor in the formation of foreign policy course alongside the establishment of advantageous business ties. The article covers the main characteristics and problems of German national identity since 1990, which allows tracing the evolution of Germany-Russia relations. Special attention is given to the characteristic features of German identity that have formed prior to the German reunification, but their fundamental traits remain essential for studying German identity. Leaning on the scientific research of the prominent specialists in German Studies, the author highlights not only the basic, but also complementary features of the modern German identity, and outlines the landmark events that currently acquire special resonance in German society. The author also traces the evolution of Germany-Russia relations, placing emphasis on the aspects that are of particular importance for the economic and ideological interests of the Russian Federation. The conclusion is made on unfeasibility of continuing the dialogue between Germany and Russia due to the fact that the Federal Republic of Germany is a full-fledged member of the European Union and no longer intends to implement solely national foreign policy.

Abstract: The research is a comprehensive reflection of the world community’s reaction to the reclassification of Hagia Sophia as a mosque. As a methodological base, the authors use the division of the world proposed by Samuel Phillips Huntington. Along with the analysis of international connections, the article includes discussions about the division of the world, desecularization, and the growth of authoritarianism based on the example of the modern Republic of Turkey under the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The authors give special attention to the urgent problem of a dialogue between religions - the reaction of the heads of religious institutions. It’s also noteworthy that in order to provide a comprehensive review of Mass Media, the authors use sources in 18 languages including Russian, and those translated by the author. The uniqueness of this research is determined by the absence of a relevant comprehensive reflection (as a manifestation of the reaction of the world community) of this event in the Russian scientific discourse. The main conclusion of this research is the assertion of the reappearance of Neo-Ottomanism, which, in its turn, proves the reality of the transformation of the world order from the unipolar to the multipolar one. The authors find out that Saudi Arabia and Egypt consider themselves as the key geopolitical rivals of Turkey, as these Muslim countries were among the few ones which reacted negatively to this domestic political decision. The research also shows that in general, international Mass Media have professionally covered Erdogan’s decision and outlined the rational reasons along with the religious factor: the aspiration of the ruling elite to distract the attention of the public from negative economic effects of the pandemic, and make the political in-fighting work in their favor.

Abstract: The article considers a topical modern phenomenon of international relations - the role of private military firms and their connection with the national interests of states, which is the object of this research. The author attempts to trace back the process of establishment of the modern form of private military firms and extend the periodization of this process. The author considers and generalizes the works of outstanding Russian researchers and military experts. This interdisciplinary research is at the nexus of political science, law, history and economics. The author gives special attention to specific publicly available information about the largest and the most influential private military firms and their incomes and the most controversial operations. The author believes that most modern private military firms are state-originated, have emerged as a result of privatization of state functions, and serve as an example of government outsourcing. Based on the analysis of the works of leading military experts, the author develops a specific classification of the phenomenon of private military firms, the pros and cons of their use by states and trans-national corporations, and specifies the main services private military firms offer. Special attention is given to the issue of “sovereign interests” in the use of private military firms. The author supposes that the research also explains the problem of underdevelopment of international legal basis regulating the activities of private military firms.