New challenges and security threats to modern countries
Reference:
Tsimashchenia V.A.
Global Criminal Alliances: The Phenomenon of Interaction between European Union and Latin American Criminal Organizations
// Conflict Studies / nota bene.
2024. ¹ 3.
P. 1-13.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0617.2024.3.71348 EDN: TJDSTX URL: https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=71348
Abstract:
The research focuses on the evolution of transnational organized crime, mechanisms of interaction between criminal structures in these two regions, and the impact of this cooperation on global security. Special attention is given to the analysis of criminal flow convergence, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and arms trade. The study investigates the transformation process of local criminal organizations into global criminal networks, as well as the formation of shadow enclaves in Latin America. The object of research includes specific cases of cooperation between European and Latin American criminal groups, their methods and strategies, and the socio-economic and political factors contributing to the development of this phenomenon. The research employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining methods from criminology, political science, sociology, and economics. Data is sourced from official reports, academic publications, and expert interviews. The scientific novelty of the research lies in its comprehensive analysis of international criminal alliances, viewing transnational organized crime as a complex adaptive system. Key findings include the identification of trends towards the formation of stable transcontinental criminal networks, determination of key factors facilitating this process, and analysis of its impact on regional and global security. The author's contribution is the development of the "shadow enclaves" concept as key nodes in the structure of international criminal alliances. The study also reveals new forms of criminal cooperation, including the symbiosis of terrorism and drug trafficking.The article provides insights for developing more effective strategies to counter transnational organized crime, emphasizing the need for enhanced international cooperation in law enforcement, legislative harmonization, and anti-corruption efforts.
Keywords:
Shadow enclaves, Global security, European Union, Latin America, Drug trafficking, Organized crime groups, Criminal Alliances, Transnational crime, International cooperation, Convergence of criminal flows
International conflicts
Reference:
Machnev I.P.
Comparative analysis of modern concepts of hybrid warfare
// Conflict Studies / nota bene.
2024. ¹ 3.
P. 14-27.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0617.2024.3.71180 EDN: MWCSLS URL: https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=71180
Abstract:
The term "hybrid war" is currently one of the actively discussed in the context of the geopolitical processes taking place between the countries of the collective West on the one hand, Russia and China on the other. However, there are many different theoretical concepts of the term "hybrid warfare" in the research field, which creates a certain terminological confusion, which consequently leads to an incomplete understanding of such a term. Thus, in this study, foreign and domestic concepts of the term "hybrid war" were presented, analyzed and systematized, and the problem of politicization of this term was also identified. The subject of the study is the analysis of the theoretical concepts of the term "hybrid warfare". The object of the study is hybrid warfare. The purpose of the study is to identify the main concepts of hybrid warfare and compare them. The research methodology is based on general scientific theoretical methods such as analysis, generalization, comparison, deduction and induction, as well as special methods, namely the method of critical analysis of discourse, the method of historical analysis and the main methods of historical research, in particular, the comparative historical method and typologization. The results of this research are the disclosure of theoretical concepts of foreign and domestic scientists, as well as their systematization, comparison and analysis of their content in the context of discourse. The novelty of this study lies in a comprehensive comparison and analysis of various concepts of the term "hybrid warfare", which allows us to reveal the understanding of such a term from the point of view of researchers from Western countries and from Russia. Despite the existing concepts of hybrid warfare, it is concluded that the question of understanding such a war remains debatable. In conclusion, it is worth noting that this work will be a useful tool for in-depth theoretical research in the field of hybrid warfare, since this study identifies and systematizes the main scientific works related to the study of such wars, as well as analyzes their content.
Keywords:
strategy, confrontation, security, war, concept, politicization, conflict, discourse, hybrid threat, hybrid warfare
Theory, history and methodology of conflict resolution
Reference:
Ionov D.D., Kretov A.D.
The place of the Arab Spring in French foreign policy
// Conflict Studies / nota bene.
2024. ¹ 3.
P. 28-44.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0617.2024.3.71208 EDN: NQUYIO URL: https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=71208
Abstract:
The events of the Arab Spring have had a significant impact on the world stage, extending its influence beyond the Arab region, leading to dramatic changes in the political landscape of the Middle East. This article analyses assessments of the Arab Spring and its impact on French foreign policy. The paper examines the key factors that shaped France's approach to the Arab Spring events, including geopolitical interests, economic ties, historical relations with the Arab world, and domestic political considerations. The aim of the paper is to analyse the key assessments, approaches and interpretations of the French expert community in relation to the Arab Spring events. The object of the study is French foreign policy in the context of the Arab Spring events and its impact on France's relations with Arab countries. The subject of the study is the assessment of the ‘Arab Spring’ by the French expert community. The methodological basis of the article is based on the system approach. The scientific novelty of the work is due to the fact that it treats the events of the Arab Spring as a turning point for French foreign policy in the Middle East, leading to a revision of previously established approaches. The authors concluded that the events of the Arab Spring have become a serious challenge for France's foreign policy, requiring a flexible response and adjustment of previously established approaches. The results of the study contribute to the understanding of the peculiarities of France's foreign policy course in the Middle East region, and also make it possible to assess the impact of the Arab Spring on the transformation of foreign policy priorities of one of the leading states of the European Union.
Keywords:
international relations, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, France, Union for the Mediterranean, European Union, Middle East, arab spring
Topical issues and vectors for modern conflict resolution studies development
Reference:
Mishin L.
Turkey's mediation as an attempt to integrate into the emerging multipolarity on the example of the Syrian, Libyan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukrainian conflicts
// Conflict Studies / nota bene.
2024. ¹ 3.
P. 45-56.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0617.2024.3.71692 EDN: CFXYAY URL: https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=71692
Abstract:
The object of the study is Turkey's foreign policy. The subject of the study is Turkey's mediation initiatives based on the example of the Libyan, Ukrainian, Syrian and Karabakh cases. The Turkish mediation is of the greatest interest, in view of Ankara's chosen course to elevate Turkey to the rank of global powers. First of all, this is due to the imperial past of the state, as well as the political orientation of the current leadership. Nevertheless, Turkey does not have the necessary resources to elevate itself to the rank of great powers, so diplomacy, and in particular mediation, has been assigned the role of a locomotive to enhance the country's international image. The purpose of the study is to study Ankara's specific tools for promoting its own interests in the emerging multipolar world through mediation efforts. The objectives are to: 1) analyze the origins of Turkish mediation 2) examine the Syrian case of Turkish mediation 3) analyze the Libyan case of Turkish mediation 3) analyze the Karabakh case of Turkish mediation 4) examine the Ukrainian case of Turkish mediation. The general scientific approach has become the main methodological approach in the research. Synthesis and analysis were mainly used in the course of the research. The Republic of Turkey has been actively promoting itself as one of the most important hubs of Eurasia for several years. The Turkish understanding of "hubness" also includes diplomacy, mediation efforts have become an important part of Turkey image. Turkey has become one of the most active powers offering mediation services to many players on the world stage. The most striking examples of this are the cases of Libya, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine. This article is intended to review and analyze these cases, the origins of Ankara's mediation initiatives, as well as their consequences. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that today there is an insignificant layer of research devoted to the analysis of Turkish mediation in the context of multipolarity. In the course of the research we made : 1) an analysis of specific cases (Syrian, Karabakh, Libyan and Ukrainian) of Turkish mediation initiatives 2) a hypothesis about the specificity of the Turkish approach to mediation.
Keywords:
Turkey's century, Dualism, Multıpolarıty, Ukraine, Karabakh, Syria, Libya, Mediation, Hub, Turkey
Topical issues and vectors for modern conflict resolution studies development
Reference:
Shugurov M.V., Kolodub G.V., Shugurova I.V.
Academic Boycott of Israel in 2023-2024: causes, manifestations and consequences
// Conflict Studies / nota bene.
2024. ¹ 3.
P. 57-111.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0617.2024.3.71827 EDN: GZYPBZ URL: https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=71827
Abstract:
The subject of the study is the content, structure, and dynamics of the academic boycott against Israel. The aim of the study is to systematically conceptualize the modern academic boycott of Israel in 2023-2024 by universities in the United States and Western Europe through the prism of the correlation of common and special features of this phenomenon. The study revealed the reasons for the academic boycott of Israel as a permanent phenomenon in 2002-2022; the degree of its validity was determined; the Palestinian-Israeli conflict of 2023-2024 was revealed as a factor in the transition of the anti-Israeli boycott in the academic sphere to a new stage, involving the introduction of unprecedented academic sanctions. The specific features of the academic boycott of Israel by universities of various states of the collective West are considered in detail by the authors in the context of new trends in the anti-Israeli protest movement. The methodological base of the research is represented by historical and systematic approaches. General scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, abstraction and generalization were used when working with empirical data. The comparative method made it possible to identify common and specific aspects of the anti-Israeli academic boycott. The forecasting method made it possible to assess the possible consequences of the current anti-Israeli boycott on the Israeli academic sector. The main conclusion of the study is that the essence of the new qualitative characteristics of the academic boycott of Israel is that the instruments of isolation of the Israeli academic sector in the space of international relations have become measures aimed at suspending or severing institutional relations between Israeli and foreign universities and research centers in the academic field. The novelty of the study lies in the disclosure of the compromise nature of decisions to limit academic ties with Israel, as well as the lack of a radical break. The consequences of the measures taken are unlikely to cause significant damage to the Israeli academic sector. It has been established that the suspension of bilateral agreements between universities of foreign countries and universities in Israel is often presented as a rupture. The contribution of the article to the subject area of research is the disclosure of the academic boycott model, which unfolds in the absence of economic sanctions, as well as the expansion of initiatives by Western countries aimed at evaluating project cooperation with Israel through the prism of human rights and academic freedom values.
Keywords:
genocide, armed attack, universities, israeli science, academic boycott, academic freedom, academic sanctions, human rights, academic cooperation, international conflicts
Social perception of conflict
Reference:
Kuznetsova A.V.
Civil Society and Public Engagement in Russia’s Regions (based on the case of Tatarstan)
// Conflict Studies / nota bene.
2024. ¹ 3.
P. 112-123.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0617.2024.3.70998 EDN: JRAROA URL: https://en.nbpublish.com/library_read_article.php?id=70998
Abstract:
The author examines the issue of public engagement in Russian civil society organizations based on the case of the Republic of Tatarstan. Local support for civil society organizations is critical to their success, so is productive collaboration between different groups and third sector organizations. The study explores differences of public support for various forms of civil society. In particular, attention is paid to the differences in civil participation in such segments of civil society as socially-oriented NGOs, formally unorganized groups and movements (such as, for example, animal rights activists) and in human rights organizations. Federal and local trends in the development of civil society that affect the civic participation are examined in detail. The author also draws attention to the strategies used by civil society organizations to attract support from the local population. The study is based on in-depth interviews with representatives of civil society organizations and movements. In the selection of participants, purposive sampling is used with balanced representation of age, gender and ethnicity. The main conclusion of the study is the reluctance of Tatarstan’s residents to engage in formal CSOs on a regular basis. However, respondents argued that statistics on low public support for civil society did not always reflect reality, as casual activism went largely unreported, so did voluntary participation in community projects outside formal CSOs. Study participants also pointed to the division of the civil society sector into three subgroups: political groups, socially oriented NGOs and independent groups. These groups see each other not as allies, but as competitors. However, public support for certain initiatives is not determined neither by the type of organization, nor by the presence or absence of government support. Tatarstan’s residents support initiatives that can change their immediate environment in the nearest future.
Keywords:
grass-roots organizations, protest, activism, community-building, socially-oriented NGOs, public engagement, Russia's regions, civil society, local ownership, ineffective colloboration