Abstract: This article explores the prerequisites for the creation and peculiarities of functioning of the inclusive security architecture in the Middle East. This system of ensuring and maintaining peace was established by Russia, and currently includes two cross-regional Middle Eastern powers – Turkey and Iran. The author analyzes the potential of involving new actors — Saudi Arabia and Israel – into the functioning of the security architecture. The article employs the method of SWOT-analysis for determining the advantages and disadvantaged of the inclusive security architecture in the Middle East, as well as outlining the major threats and capabilities of the system. The novelty of this research lies in giving definition to the concept of “inclusive security architecture”; assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the inclusive security architecture created by Russia in the Middle East; outlining the major threats and vulnerabilities of the system, as well as the potential attraction of new actors therein. The author also highlights the peculiarities of the key five pairs of conflict relations in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia — Iran, Saudi Arabia – Turkey, Saudi Arabia – Israel, Israel – Iran, and Israel – Turkey), the nature of which Russia should take into account within the framework of long-term planning. The conclusion is made that in the future, the inclusive security architecture may become one of the key pillars of peace and security in the Middle East, and gradually mitigate the conflicts in this region.

Keywords: Russia, Syrian conflict, Middle East, international relations, inclusive security architecture, USA, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The object of this research is a polemical question within the theory of international relations – the transformation of world orders. The author believes that this work is a compromise in the long-lasting scientific dispute on the principles of the end of one world order and the beginning of the new world order. Description is given to the current world order of international relations, its characteristics and reference points. The key goal of this research consists in theoretical substantiation of various aspects of the possible shift of the current world order. The article indicates certain untenable aspects of the current world order, and outlines the possibilities of its revision from the perspective of the three fundamental theoretical paradigms of international relations. The goal is set to arrange the anarchically disparate representations on the system of international relation, and derive a comprehensible, uniform structure, which also defines the novelty of the conducted research. It is claimed that since the end of the World War II, the international relations have existed in the form of Yalta-Potsdam system, which at this point indicates the three world orders, including since dissolution of the Soviet Union. Emphasis is placed on the issue of hegemony of the United States and the idea of unipolar world striving for multipolarity. The author’s special contribution lies in comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon under consideration, which incorporates numerous articles of the reputable publishers and experts who have already dealt with the difficult theoretical problem in the theory of international relations.

Keywords: Yalta-Potsdam system, multipolar world, unipolar world, fatalistic approach, system of international relations, new world order, world order, geopolitics, paradigms of international relations, post-coronavirus period

Abstract: As the successor state of the former superpower USSR, the Russian Federation retains its high status of the “guarantor of peace” for the entire international community due to a range of political, military and economic means, currently being on of the few “police states”. The role of police states is important to such extent that no major conflict can be settled without their participation or approval. Such status of Russia is being maintained by its military power, as well as a number of political privileges. Alongside any police state, Russia has developed its own strategy for interfering or settling the international military conflicts using the existing toolkit. This defines the relevance of analysis of the current state of the Russian range of means and tools for suppression and settlement of the conflicts. The goal of this research consists in examination of the the means available to the Russian Federation for settling military conflicts, as well as in the analysis of the state and prospects of their use in peacekeeping campaigns of the Russian Federation. It is worth noting that the Russian Federation as the successor state of the Soviet Union, and one of the members of the nuclear club and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, retains and extends the range of tools for handling and settling military conflicts, from the preventive tools of cultural-diplomatic influence such as Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (commonly known as Rossotrudnichestvo) to high-tech military weapons, which have no analogues among the overwhelming majority of participants of international relations. The presence of such rich arsenal testifies to strong peacekeeping potential of the Russian Federation; however, the currently observed inclination towards the priority of coercive tools can severely undermine the ability of the Russian Federation to settle international military conflicts.

Keywords: public dilomacy, private military corporations, soft power, Russian foreign policy, transnational corporations, international military conflict, international relations, military conflict, ciberwar, UAV

Abstract: This article explores the cooperation of Spain and Russia in the area of education due to implementation of the joint degree program between Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and University of the Balearic Islands). The study of the bilateral dialogue within the framework of educational policy and outlining its prospects is relevant since Spain is the strategically important partner for the Russian Federation. Analysis of the potential of university cooperation between the two countries at the present stage is also necessary for expanding the presence of Spain and Russia in the humanitarian sphere abroad, and creating a positive image of both countries among foreign partners. The novelty of this research lies in the detailed analysis of the joint Master’s program and postgraduate education implemented between Peoples' Friendship University of Russia and University of the Balearic Islands), its current state and development prospects, as well as the challenges faced in the process of implementation of this project. It is noted that the joint degree program between the Russian and Spanish universities are an integral part of their cooperation in the sphere of education. The author establishes that the difference in academic degrees in the Russian and Spanish systems of education remains a crucial and unresolved issue, which obstructs the bilateral partnership in this area.

Keywords: PhD, master's degree, double degree programs, Bologna process, internationalization, higher education, cooperation, academic mobility, Russia, Spain

Abstract: This article analyzes the process of establishment and development of public diplomacy of the Slovak Republic. The author provides certain definitions of the term public diplomacy, as well as discusses the formation of public diplomacy of the Slovak Republic and its concept after declaring independence. Analysis is conducted on the development and implementation of public diplomacy of the Slovak Republic abroad at the present stage. The article consists of the three sections: the first explores the general concept of public diplomacy; the second analyzes the establishment and development of public diplomacy of the Slovak Republic; the third demonstrates the implementation of public diplomacy in the Slovak Republic in the current context. The problem of public diplomacy is currently relevant and subject to extensive analysis. With the course of time, public diplomacy has been playing a significant role in foreign policy of the Slovak Republic, and thus, a crucial factor in its international life. The author’s special contribution consists in examination of the materials of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Methodological framework is comprised of systemic approach, as well as general and private scientific methods, such as analysis, synthesis, comparison, and historical method. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the comprehensive approach towards the analysis of public diplomacy in the Slovak Republic and its evolution.

Keywords: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, foreign policy, international relations, state, Slovak Republic, public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, soft power, national branding