The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the strategic culture of the Central Asian countries, focusing on its multifactorial nature. The study examines the historical, cultural, political, and socio-economic determinants that influence the formation and evolution of strategic culture in the region. Central Asia has a long and complex history, including periods of conquest, colonialism, and independence. These historical events had a significant impact on the formation of national identities and strategic priorities. The Central Asian countries are located at the intersection of important trade routes and have strategic importance for regional and global players. This determines their interest in ensuring stability and security in the region, as well as economic development, social processes and political systems. Traditional values, religion and cultural norms play an important role in shaping the strategic culture of Central Asia. The region is influenced by external factors such as the policies of neighboring states, the activities of international organizations and global trends. These factors determine the specifics of strategic thinking and behavior in international relations of Central Asian states. The results obtained represent a valuable resource for in-depth understanding of the modern foreign policy strategies of countries in the region, as well as for developing effective approaches to their interaction at the global level. The article is based on materials from scientific reports presented by scientists at the international conference “Strategic cultures of Central Asian countries: factors of formation” held within the IX International Scientific and Practical Conference “Russia and the world: Dialogues – 2025: Strategies”.

The article analyzes the influence of non-regional states on Kazakhstan’s foreign policy in 2014–2024. Kazakhstan’s policy is similar to that of a “becoming middle power”. The author uses constructivist and behavioural approaches to consider the influence of second-row states on Kazakhstan foreign policy. The article compares Turkish, British, and Indian actions towards Kazakhstan. The author interviewed prominent Russian specialists on Central Asian and Turkish foreign policy. There are three areas of influence: economic cooperation, political and diplomatic cooperation, and “smart power”. Turkey has a strong presence in economic cooperation with Kazakhstan, while Great Britain dominates in “smart power” in Kazakhstan. India’s influence is small and limited, but it can increase its position. Turkey will become a “semi-power” thanks to its economic clout and smart-power moves. The author points out that no “second-tier” state obtains full power in Kazakhstan foreign policy.

The article was prepared within the framework of the program for employees and postgraduate students of Russian universities and scientific organizations at HSE University in Moscow. The author thanks Russian experts in Central Asian studies who agreed to comment on the topic of the article.

The article is devoted to the study of trends and results of climate regulation at the present stage of management. The author presents retrospective data characterizing increased attention to issues of climate change in the world and Russia’s integration into these processes. Indicators of investment in climate projects are analyzed, and a tendency towards their strengthening over recent years is revealed. Research and practical developments aimed at updating methodological and informational bases for assessing and predicting the carbon-sequestering capacity of forests are of particular importance, as well as regulatory documents clarifying calculations of the amount of greenhouse gases absorbed by forests. It can be concluded that the current situation is the result of many years of institutionalization in various aspects of climate control and the establishment of methodological bases for carbon credit certification. Special attention is paid to naturalclimatic and forest-climate projects as key to achieving carbon neutrality. The role of Russia in climate regulation has been considered. It was revealed that a sufficient regulatory framework and system of tools for state support for climate projects have been developed, which ensured the formation of both carbon landfills in the country and participation of business in profitable projects on carbon markets. To ensure carbon neutrality more effectively, it is necessary to make methodological changes to regulatory documents. Conclusion is drawn about the prospects for implementing forest climate projects, both internationally and in Russia, taking into account emerging new opportunities for highquality carbon circulation.

This study is devoted to the analysis of socio-economic indicators and methods for assessing regional socio-economic differentiation of the Kyrgyz Republic for the period from 2019 to 2023. The paper considers such key aspects as the dynamics of population, gross domestic product (GDP), standard of living, as well as changes in industrial, agricultural, and service sectors. The research problem is a high level of regional social and economic differentiation in the Kyrgyz Republic. The purpose of this research is to identify and evaluate the level of social and economic regional differentiation, and develop proposals for equalization using the example of regions of the republic. Methods used in this research include systematization, analysis of Russian, Kyrgyz, and foreign literature, and statistical data. The paper provides a comparative analysis of the concepts of “regional inequality”, “regional disparities”, and “regional differentiation”. A solution to  inequality is the state regulation of regions through economic and social policies. The study reveals sustained economic growth in the Kyrgyz Republic in recent years, accompanied by an increase in per capita income and an improvement in living standards. However, problems related to inflation and unemployment also exist, requiring additional attention from government agencies and the development of effective strategies for the socio-economic development of the country and its regions. The findings emphasize the need for an integrated approach to analyzing and managing economic processes in Kyrgyzstan’s regions to ensure sustained growth and improve population well-being.

The article was prepared within the framework of the International Academic Mobility Program organized by the National Research Institute for the Communication Development for young scientists from foreign countries.

The modern confrontation between the countries of the collective West and Russia is acquiring a new pragmatic character, which contributes to the aggravation of sociocultural problems in many countries in the near and far abroad. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as a geopolitical instrument of pressure from the collective West, is forming an agenda in various interpretations to either escalate tensions or contain Russia. Currently, the ways of investigating this issue have a pronouncedly hostile character, which does not allow for a stable position to be formed for further de-escalation of tensions. As researchers from Western countries and Russia pursue the political implications of the current international agenda, this article suggests considering an alternative view of the confrontation between the collective West and Russia, including through its instrument NATO. The author conducts a retrospective analysis of historical background, which may have led to the aggravation of relations between West and Russia from the Russian side. The position of the author is based on open sources of information, and it is assumed that alternative approach can contribute to finding new ways of studying the confrontation. Further research into the actions and inactions of Western countries towards Russia will allow for a more pragmatic approach to balancing interests of major political actors.

Economic, political and social transformations in various countries in recent decades have contributed to the relevance of studying the genesis and evolution of the institutional environment of social systems, and, consequently, the problem of features and directions of historical process. A case of particular interest is Japan, where institutions of both “Western” and “non-Western” types have been historically intertwined. The aim of this paper is to attempt a philosophical understanding of Japanese history by identifying its general trends and causes. The methodological basis of this study is the institutional approach, supplemented by the theory of institutional matrices (IM). According to this theory, the essential features of a social system are determined by its institutional matrix, formed by basic institutions of redistributive and market types coexisting under conditions of dominance-complementarity and regulating interconnected economic, political and socio-cultural subsystems of society. It is shown that Japan, unlike other countries, is characterized by a hybrid institutional matrix due to the peculiarities of its formation as a social community in the context of frontier colonization and isolation from its “root” social system. Hybridization of institutions during the formation of the social system predetermines the specifics of Japan’s development, which can be illustrated over a wide period of time. In particular, it was shown that when institutions were transplanted from outside into Japan’s institutional environment, they acquired certain elements of an alternative type. The preservation of Japan’s institutional ambivalence (the lack of a clear dominance of either redistributive or market-based institutions in economic, political and socio-cultural spheres) has been shown to be maintained up to the present day.

The special military operation carried out by the Russian Federation in Ukraine raises a number of issues related to reorganizing various state structures. These include requirements for significant changes to military policy, military construction, and military administration. It also includes changes in the nature of civilian-military relations. One type of civil-military cooperation is expert interaction, based on the specialized knowledge and skills of both civilian and military professionals. Expert interaction does not imply that civil society has the right to control the military. Instead, it involves open dialogue, information exchange, and opinion sharing between parties to achieve mutual understanding and make better decisions. The article describes a proposed mechanism for expert interaction between civil society and the military organization of a state in the area of military security. The processes of interaction between state structures, civil society, and the military organization of the state are revealed. The mechanizm includes procedures for bringing together mixed teams of experts and decision-makers, the distribution of powers and responsibilities, analysis of the types of interactions between experts, and consideration of the types of decisions to be made. The proposed mechanism is a dynamic system aimed at improving national security. Its implementation could strengthen trust between civil society and government and military authorities, increase public support for special operations, and ensure the flow of new knowledge and technology into the military sphere.

This study attempts to analyze the current realities and crisis manifestations in the sphere of symbolic capital in the United Kingdom, which is directly related to the structure of power, prestige, and identity. Based on the methodology of P. Bourdieu, who makes it possible to identify symbolic space with physical space through the projection of the distribution of certain types of capital, thus defining social structure, we find ourselves in a space where one type of capital – symbolic - has the ability to shape a stable image of formalized social communities – countries, states, as the most attractive for many people. Using this advantage, Great Britain has created and maintained the image of its fundamental institutions, such as Monarchy, Parliament, the Anglican Church, education, and cultural heritage, as prestigious manifestations of culture and social development, thereby creating an aura of high-quality communities.. The research question that we analyze is how coherent these institutions are today with the social dynamics of the modern British community. What are their main problems and how do the British themselves assess their effectiveness and recognition? The main hypothesis accompanying this research and which we come to confirm at the end is that behind the “facade of symbolic Great Britain” a deep socio-economic and spiritual crisis is hidden.

The article analyzes the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in Russia, the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the world. International cooperation and leading countries ratings are emphasized, as well as AI’s role as a key driver for economic growth and innovation. International platforms and strategies such as those promoted by BRICS, SCO, CSTO, CIS and the Union of Russia and Belarus are also highlighted. A comprehensive approach to evaluating AI potential is described, including an analysis of government programs, investments, scientific publications and human resources. The focus is on international ratings such as the Global AI Index, the Stanford AI Index Report for 2024, and PwC’s Global Artificial Intelligence Study. These ratings evaluate countries based on various factors including infrastructure, research, commercial strategies, and regulatory frameworks. According to the results of the analysis, the United States and China continue to lead significantly, outpacing other countries. Russia, on the other hand, demonstrates strong positions in terms of development, government funding and legal support, but falls behind in human resources and infrastructure. This analysis allows us to identify trends and challenges in AI development as well as to highlight the need for improved digital infrastructure and increased international cooperation in order to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the formation and development of modern political science in Tajikistan. The author examines methodological approaches, research priorities, and scientific guidelines of Tajik scientists based on the study of an array of scientific publications for the period from 2000 to 2024. The key topics identified are statehood, national identity, security, the Islamic factor, and political culture. The author argues that Tajikistan has begun to form its own scientific school of political science based on domestic research teams, academic institutes, and university departments. Signs of the formation of a national school are highlighted, including the institutionalization of scientific centers, sustainability of research teams, presence of national scientific authorities, and characteristics of the subject area of research. Methodological features of Tajik studies are drawn attention to: prevalence of historical-genetic approach and securitization in problematic field. In context of actualization of security issues, identity, and sustainability, Tajik political studies acquire great importance as national analytical resource. Along with the achievements, factors hindering the development of the scientific school of political science in Tajikistan have been identified: insufficient theoretical, fundamental, predictive, and comparative research; the dominance of normative research and state discourse; local research interests; and weak interdisciplinary. The author emphasizes the importance of expanding scientific contacts between Russia and Tajikistan, increasing scientific mobility programs, and joint scientific projects. This work contributes to understanding the features of scientific discourse in Tajikstan and is of interest to researchers in the post-Soviet space, Central Asia, and comparative political science.

The article analyses China’s military-technical cooperation with Maghreb countries, using Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia as examples. Over the past two decades, China has significantly increased its presence in these countries. The aim of the research is to identify the causes and conditions for the development of such cooperation, as well as its trends and prospects. Special attention is paid to analysing factors influencing the growth of military cooperation. The author concludes that this cooperation is closely linked to China’s strategic interests, including ensuring the security of its businesses, investments and citizens in the region. The study also shows that China’s cooperation with Algeria is at a high level in the military field. This is reflected in the support of government policy and in the transfer of modern military equipment for defense to its partners. Morocco and Tunisia, despite their close relations with Western partners, are also striving to develop cooperation with China. The author believes that military-technical relations between China and the Maghreb countries will increase due to mutual interest of the parties. Main directions of further development of military-technical cooperation between states are proposed. It is concluded that African-Chinese cooperation in security can become a successful model ofinter-state cooperation. Strengthening of military-technological cooperation, combined with increasing trade and energy ties, demonstrates the rapproche ment of Maghreb states with China.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of an international conflict, its socio-political indicators, and the identification of sources used to predict its dynamics. A separate retrospective, relative and comparative analysis of the military-political situation is carried out in the context of the holistic socio-practical phenomenon that accompanies the international confrontation. The author draws attention to the features of the typology of international conflicts and their functional determinants, as well as their regulatory mechanisms. Among other things, a multidimensional assessment of the military component of the conflict is conducted, and key areas for identifying and monitoring the most significant socio-political processes are identified. An alternative typology of international conflicts of the modern world is proposed depending on the subject orientation of forecasting and taking into account factors of the military-political situation. The publication focuses on identifying direct and latent processes that may influence the possibility of fragmentation of the background for prediction, as well as on determining the most appropriate way to predict in a chosen area of social relations. In particular, attention is paid to the peculiarities of formation and development of international conflicts through the use of socio-political techniques by participants in the phenomenon. The multidimensionality, specificity and transformation of the parameters of military-political situations are considered in terms of their predictive actualization and potential management in modern times. The importance of a comprehensive study of the potential for forecasting the military-political situation from the perspective of its institutional impact on international conflict is emphasized.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of political aspects and features of migration processes in the Kyrgyz Republic in the context of globalization, internal transformation, and demographic changes. The relevance of this study is due to the rapid growth in external and internal migration, which has a multidimensional impact on political stability, election processes, inter-ethnic relations, and social stability in the country. The research was conducted using an interdisciplinary approach that combines political science, sociology, economics, and legal analysis, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of migration’s impact on Kyrgyzstan’s political system. Particular attention is paid to the role of the state in migration management, the fragmentation of institutional mechanisms, and poor coordination between agencies. The author identifies key challenges, including the outflow of able-bodied populations, rising social tensions, demographic and regional imbalances, political mobilization of migrants, and manipulations with voter registration that affect electoral processes and the formation of political culture. Examples of transformation of political space in urbanization and internal migration contexts are analyzed, and practical recommendations for improving Kyrgyz migration policy are presented, including development of regional infrastructure, programs for social adaptation and integration of migrants, systematic monitoring of political activity, and provision of legal and social guarantees. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop a coherent, long-term, strategically-oriented policy aimed at increasing political inclusion, the stability of government institutions, and strengthening national security in the context of migration.