Abstract: The subject of this article is the narratives of the conflict between the Chinese and British empires in the XVIII-XIX centuries and about the Korean War of 1950-1953. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyze stable narratives and cliches about these conflicts, to show their genesis, transformation and target groups. As the analyzed material, the diplomatic correspondence given in A. Toynbee's "A study of History" and in G. Kissinger's "On China" are compared; additional updated sources are considered. The identified inconsistencies in key issues are analyzed by comparing, as well as the situational and historical context of the appearance of these texts and their interpretations. The Cold War narrative about the Chinese delegation to Moscow in 1949-1950 has also been disassembled and deconstructed. The methodological basis of linguistic research of texts consists of content analysis, intent analysis, discourse analysis, narrative analysis. The results revealed distortions of the analyzed narratives about the conflict between the Chinese and British empires in the XVIII-XIX centuries; about the negotiations between the PRC and the USSR in 1949-1950. The primary sources that deserve attention and further research are indicated. Parallels have been drawn between the events under study, which were not previously considered in this way; an analysis has been carried out in the light of the identification of these correlations. The ambiguity and tendentiousness of many theses of Kissinger's work are substantiated. The reasons and the probable target group for which these narratives were created are analyzed. In conclusion, China's declared vision of the development of international relations in connection with the historical context is analyzed. A thesis is put forward on the applicability of the data obtained to predict the current conflict between China and the United States over Taiwan.

Keywords: mercantilism, East India Company, Macartney Embassy, Taiwan, Technological unipolarity, propaganda, Korean War, Opium wars, Community of Common Destiny, China

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of identity of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the Arctic in the context of environmental interdependence. The author reviews the current situation in the Arctic as a symbiosis of domestic and foreign policy of the Russian Federation being northern country. The transformation of identity is an implicit challenge for sustainable development in the region. The subject of this research is the phenomenon of self-determination of the indigenous population in the context of environmental agenda. The author dwells on the existing theoretical approaches towards studying the phenomenon of interdependence. The article aims to prove that the problematic of the identity of indigenous population may become a serious challenge for the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in the region. The novelty of this research consists on the fact that due to the Russian Chairmanship in the Arctic Council (2021 – 2023), the problem of self-determination of the indigenous small-numbered population remains unresolved, which generates an implicit threat to sustainable development of the region from the perspective of foreign policy discourse of the country. The conclusion is drawn that the existing environmental support initiatives through the international organizations and government structures of the Russian Federation and the Nordic countries do not imply direct representatives from the indigenous small-numbered population. The absence of a permanent dialogue results in the unconscious shift towards dependence.

Keywords: development, traditional, identity, self-determination, dependence, indigenous peoples, Arctic, minerals, foreign policy, north

Abstract: The subject of this research is the indirect forms of confrontation in intergovernmental conflicts conflicts. The object of this research is the “hybrid warfare” as a form of indirect confrontation. It is established that currently the methods of military and nonmilitary intergovernmental confrontation are being extensively used. One of the actively implemented concepts is the so called “hybrid war”. The author examines the key components of “hybrid” actions; and leaning on the analysis of historical experience, concludes that these approaches have deep historical roots. The article reviews not the classical mercenarism, but namely “hybrid” actions, when the hirer and the purpose of involving mercenaries are hidden, while military actions are accompanied by economic confrontation and massive information attacks. The examples of such actions can be seen in wars back in the XV–XVII centuries. The analysis of warfare and armed conflicts experience allows concluding the threat of “hybrid” actions is extremely relevant now and in the foreseeable future. It is also worth noting that in the future, other “hybrid” approaches towards intergovernmental confrontation that have previously been used in the past can be modified to the new conditions of civilizational development.  The author concludes that Russia should be ready to counter such threats, and outlines possible aspects of such counteraction.

Keywords: modern military concepts, economic methods of confrontation, information confrontation, hidden power confrontation, components of the conflict, soft power, indirect methods of confrontation, hybrid conflicts, hybrid action participants, history of hybrid conflicts

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the examination of public opinion of the Russians and Ukrainians regarding the ongoing armed conflict in the Donbass Region in the context of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation on the simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for residents of the unrecognized Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic. The author also analyzes the reflection of this political decision in the Ukraine’s media space. For more than five years, the negative image of Russia is consensual in the Ukrainian mass media; however, there is a trend of improving attitude of Ukrainians towards Russians after a sharp decline 2014-2015. For substantiation of the proposed theses, the author uses the data of the Russian and Ukrainian sociological surveys, as well as instruments of the monitoring systems “Medialogy”. Public opinion among the Ukrainians directly depends on place of residence of the respondents: for example, almost three fourth of Donbass population have a positive attitude towards Russia against just a quarter in the west of the country.  Same pattern is traced with regards to the War in Donbass and possible ways for its settlement – the closer to the epicenter of conflict, the lesser people approve the hostilities. The great majority of Russians support the President’s decision on the simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship. The author underlines the direct dependence of the fluctuations in public opinion on the presence or absence of massive propaganda in mass media. The scientific novelty of this article consists in examination of the relevant questions using the most recent data from various sources.

Keywords: conflict in the Donbas, opinion polls, public sentiment, Donetsk People's Republic, Ukraine, Russia, issuance of Russian passports, Donbas, news analysis, passport system

Abstract: The subject of this research is the military aspects of French policy in the African continent during the presidency of N. Sarkozy and F. Hollande (2007-2017). Both politicians adhered to the concept proposed by J. Chirac in the early 2000’s on least intervening in the internal conflicts and more open cooperation with foreign countries in the area of defense and security. This discourse changes the vector of French military operations, turning them to a nominal “attribute” of peacekeeping missions of the UN and regional organizations. The reporting period also marks the development of cooperation with the countries of the continent in the area of counterterrorism. The author applies the method of comparative analysis; as well as examines the major military operations initiated by the governments of N. Sarkozy and F. Hollande in Africa. The conclusion is made that the military component remained the primary guarantor of French dominance in the continent. Multiple experts consider such approach as following “double standards”, and even continuation of the practices of neocolonialism. However, the author believes that refraining from military intervention in Africa, could lead Parish to a full or partial loss of the political and economic leverage in the continent, namely due to the changing geopolitical landscape in the region – increase of terrorist threat and spread of asymmetrical conflicts.

Keywords: peacebuilding operations, asymmetric conflicts, hard power, Francois Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy, Africa, French policy, neocolonialism, humanitarian intervention, terrorism

Abstract: The modern world is currently undergoing a series of changes, which resulted in the formation of a new world order. These changes cause a revolutionary revision of views on key issues and problems of international relations, global and regional economic development. The methodological basis of this research is a systemic, structural and functional, comparative political approaches, methods of analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, observation. The transformation of the modern world is closely connected with the evolution of the human mind and determined by the ability to make informed decisions and to choose reasonable alternatives, since humanity, by impacting the natural processes, has brought about violations of their natural course. Moreover, as shown by V.I. Vernadsky, natural phenomena can not be divided into independent parts, and thus, it is necessary to consider the humankind's place in the natural order of things. To find ways out of this complex, contradictory situation, we must find a solution with minimal colladeral damage. The theory of Technological structure by Academician S.Y.Glazyev, may serve as a guideline for leading the Russian and Global economy out of the prolonged crisis.

Keywords: interests, democracy, color revolutions, hybrid war, state, USA, society, politics, values, security

Abstract: Based on the analysis of events that lead to World War I and modern events that are linked to the realization of anti-Russian policy of the leading European countries as a result of the situation in Ukraine, this article reaches a conclusion that this is the dusk of Europe as an independent subject of global politics. The author substantiates the main grounds for calling European political elites biased and controlled by United States of America, and formulates projections of possible consequences of Europe’s anti-Russian political and economic course. The methodology of this research is based on systemic, structural- functional, comparative-historical and comparative-political approaches, the methods of induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis, observation, analogy. The events of World War I, its 100-th anniversary being commemorated rather modestly in most participant countries, and the developments in modern international political processes, within and around Ukraine, in particular, give grounds to Hegel’s postulate of all world’s tragedies being repeated twice — first time as a tragedy, the second, as a farce.

Keywords: Conflict studies, foreign policy, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, political regime, state, anti- Russian sanctions, Donbass, World War I.