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Vietnam Online added new blog post

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 00:00:17 +0300

N. G. ROGOZHINA Doctor of Political Science Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations Keywords: East Asia, environmental problems, security, environmental policy, "green development" For East Asian countries, ensuring environmental security is directly related not so much to the threat of international conflicts caused by competition for limited natural resources and their degradation (conflicts over international water resources, competition for natural resources in the South China Sea), but rather to the prospects for achieving economic and social progress. In the end, environmental degradation becomes a drag on the economic progress of East Asian countries and leads to a loss of competitiveness of their economies focused on foreign markets, where in recent years the requirements for the environmental quality of goods and services have become tougher. The impact of environmental processes on security is assessed in different ways: traditionally-as a direct cause of internal and international conflicts, which often take the form of armed clashes. And more broadly-in the interrelation of environmental, development and security issues. In this case, the main issue becomes the destabilizing impact of the environmental crisis on the socio-economic and political development of the country, on the aggravation of internal problems that can pose a threat to national, regional and global security. Most often, the direct result of environmental degradation is a decrease in the growth of agricultural production, a general decline in economic activity, an aggravation of the problem of poverty and an increase in social disparities, political instability, ethnic and religious conflicts. With all the diversity of the countries that make up East Asia and the multiplicity of their development, it is necessary to highlight the common cause of the aggravation of their environmental problems - the development of an industrial society with its inherent attitudes t ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 00:00:14 +0300

I. T. KOFANOV Candidate of Economic Sciences Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences Keywords: Tunisia, "Arab spring", democracy, Ennahda, terrorism Of particular interest is Tunisia, the only country where the" Arab Spring " ends with the transition to democratic forms of government. At the same time, it is important to note that the process is far from over, and a rollback to authoritarianism is still possible. The variety of political regimes in the modern theory of the state is reduced to two main types: democratic and anti-democratic (totalitarian). The issues of their formation and transition from one form to another have always attracted close attention of specialists. The revealed general patterns do not exclude the peculiarities of their manifestation in each individual country. Back in the first half of the 19th century, the French political figure and historian A. de Tocqueville, in his treatise "Democracy in America", noted that it is not necessary "to consider all democratic peoples as copies created in the image and likeness of the American people, and we will try, in the end, to discern the features of their own national features"1. The Tunisian experience is important because it can provide an answer, at least partially, to the question that most political scientists and practicing politicians are interested in and clearly formulated by the American political scientist and sociologist S. Huntington: "Is there a fundamentally irreversible, long-term, global trend towards the spread of democratic political systems around the world, as Tocqueville believed and James Bryce. Or, political democracy is a form of manifestation limited, with few exceptions, to a minority of rich and / or Western societies. Or perhaps, for a significant number of countries, political democracy is a temporary phenomenon, periodically alternating with various forms of authoritarian rule " 2? TRANSITION PERIOD: FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SCALE The transition period that began ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 00:00:20 +0300

Author: A. A. PANOV Recently, a new stable expression has taken root in Russian journalism and the language of near-political discussions - "Hutu against Tutsi", a kind of meme * that is spontaneously transmitted through social networks, blogs, and the media. Journalists, publicists, and political commentators like to use this phrase, which refers to the ethno-political conflict that lasted for decades in the Great Lakes region of Africa, in their columns or speeches. Few of them, however, have any idea what a complex historical drama really lies behind these two words. Here are a couple of examples. Journalist Oleg Kashin on the air of the radio station "Echo of Moscow" on May 30, 2014, when asked by the host whether a journalist can remain neutral when covering the armed conflict, he answers that this is impossible with all his desire, but immediately makes a reservation that, most likely, Western journalists who covered the Tutsi-Hutu conflict were neutral. 1. Another journalist, Sergei Parkhomenko, in a debate with his infamous colleague Alexander Nevzorov about whether history can be considered a science, expressed even more enchanting stupidity: it is supposedly historically accurately recorded that in 1000, simultaneously with the appearance of the first European on the American mainland, the Hutus first went to war against the Tutsi. "Since then, everything that we know about the American continent has happened on the American continent, and the war continues between Hutu and Tutsi <...> they had exactly the same opportunities, they had exactly the same time, they lived in equally bad climatic conditions. Some have achieved this, and others have achieved this, "Parkhomenko said, also noting that this is supposedly an example of a real, "scientific" history without any ideology.2 The 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda, which, of course, is not limited to the conflict in the Great Lakes region of Africa, but which is its culmination and most famous stage. As ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Sat, 09 Dec 2023 00:00:18 +0300

V. A. MELNIKOV Our sobkor in Ghana Keywords: Ebola, virus, Ghana, Liberia, ECOWAS, borders According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the last week of January of this year, three African countries affected by the Ebola virus have again experienced outbreaks of the deadly disease 1. Of the 124 reported cases, 80 were registered in Sierra Leone, 39 in Guinea and 5 in Liberia. In February of this year - 74, 52 and 2, respectively. More than 16,000 children have lost their parents and become orphans as a result of the spread of the virus in these three countries2. Since December 2013, approximately 10,5 thousand people have died. "The increase in cases is undoubtedly worrying, but we knew that the fever would flare up again," said David Nabarro, the UN Secretary-General's special Representative for Ebola. "We are on the right track, but we need to be vigilant because there are still pockets of infection." By the end of 2014 and the beginning of the new year, WHO recorded the lowest number of cases. Hopes were growing that the critical point in the fight against the fever was over. "However, the suspicions of health workers, especially in Guinea, and the lack of confidence in local practices in countering the virus continue to serve as an obstacle in the fight against Ebola," the UN said. Once again, the unsafe burial of bodies in eastern Guinea on the border with Ivory Coast has caused 11 new cases. "A team of rapid response doctors is operating in the area," the WHO added. Relatives and close people who attended the funeral were already infected, because they had physical contact with the bodies of the deceased. WHO stressed the need to step up efforts before the start of the rainy season in April and May, which can cause road blurring and hinder the movement of medical teams. THE SITUATION IN GHANA Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, on behalf of the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which he heads, called on the ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 00:00:13 +0300

NEW DEVELOPMENT TRENDS E. Ya. ARAPOVA Candidate of Economic Sciences MGIMO (U) of the Russian Foreign Ministry Keywords: East Asia, ASEAN, financial markets, investment, regional development, economic integration World Bank experts predict that the group of East Asian States will grow by 7.1% in 2014 (at the time of writing, the year was still incomplete and its results are unknown), which will be mostly supported by the high growth rate of the Chinese economy (about 7.6%). Despite a slight slowdown in the economic growth of the region's countries compared to the average growth rate in 2009-2013 (at 8%), East Asia continues to maintain its position as the world leader in terms of regional development. Of great interest is the answer to the question: what is the reason for this growth today? East Asia has always followed its own export-oriented model of economic development, which for several decades has helped countries in the region to occupy leading positions in terms of the growth rate of their economies. As a result, the impact of the global financial crisis of 2008-2009 was relatively lower here than in other regions of the world. First, there was some "postponement" of the negative impact of external factors. If for most developed countries of the West, negative trends were reflected in the statistics of 2008, then for Asia, 2009 was a turning point. This was partly due to the accumulation of a "safety cushion" in the form of significant international reserves, and partly due to the expansion of regional integration processes and the development of regional cooperation in the financial sector. Its goal was to increase regional financial stability and create mechanisms for rapid response to external threats. Second, Asian countries have generally managed to maintain "favorable external economic positions in the context of flexible exchange rates, significant international reserves and less dependence on short-term external financing"1. However, the crisis of 20 ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 00:00:11 +0300

T. S. DENISOVA Candidate of Historical Sciences Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences (TO MARK THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ECOWAS) Keywords: ECOWAS, economic integration, political conflicts, regional security, peacekeeping missions, ECOMOG Treaty (the "Lagos Agreement") The Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) was signed on 28 May 1975. Currently, the organization consists of 15 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo (see map). Since the 1990s, the main activity of ECOWAS has been to participate in the resolution of military and political conflicts in the West African region. The establishment of ECOWAS took place during a period of rapid growth in the Nigerian economy. 1 That is why Nigeria, the largest (by population, more than 190 million people) country in West Africa, which in the 1970s experienced an "oil boom" and received huge revenues from the export of "black gold", was the initiator, main sponsor and driving force of integration, and Nigerian leaders set out to solve an ambitious task strengthening the country's status as a regional (and in the future - continental) leader. It is to Nigeria's credit that during the entire period of ECOWAS's operation, despite the gradual decline in oil revenues and periodic economic downturns, the country provided more than 30% of the organization's budget, as well as provided substantial military-technical and material assistance to other member States of the Community, in particular, provided preferential supplies of crude oil to them and petroleum products, sponsored political reforms, provided humanitarian aid, and sent specialists to work in various sectors of the economy.2 Among the most significant financial and economic projects of ECOWAS, which have not yet been implemented for the most part, we can mention the attempt to create a "second" West African currency zone (Gamb ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:15 +0300

N. A. ZHERLITSYNA Candidate of Historical Sciences Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences Keywords: Russian-Egyptian relations, political cooperation, energy, trade, investment The historical character and strategic significance of the "return of Russia to Egypt" is determined by the coincidence of the political aspirations of the two countries, which see each other as potential allies.1 There are many factors that bring the Russian Federation and the Arab Republic of Egypt (ARE) closer together. Egypt and Russia are going through a difficult time: Each of the countries is under severe pressure both at the regional and international levels. As a result of the "Arab Spring", Egypt is weakened from within by the protracted confrontation between the military elite and the Muslim Brotherhood, and is surrounded by neighbors plunged into chaos and war. Russia in the economic and political spheres is also experiencing negative consequences of Western economic sanctions and falling oil prices. In this regard, partnership between the Russian Federation and the Arab Republic of Egypt is becoming not only a common desire, but also a necessity. "The political significance of this cooperation for each of the parties is to demonstrate that they are not in an "uncontested" situation in the international arena. This is relevant both for Russia, which is currently under various kinds of pressure from the West due to the Ukrainian crisis, and for Egypt, which is in need of external support, " says the columnist of the Turkish newspaper S. Cohen 2. RUSSIA RETURNS TO EGYPT Given the reorientation of Russia's foreign policy, an independent and influential partner in the Middle East is very important for it. Our countries share many common interests in the Middle East. The election of Egypt's new president, AF al-Sisi, is an important event that has changed the balance of power both in the Middle East and in global politics in favor of those who oppose radical Islamism. Cairo h ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:00:20 +0300

A. M. VASILIEV Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences D. I. VINITSKY Our sobkor in Egypt Keywords: Egypt, Russia, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Vladimir Putin, visit, relations Russia and Egypt are linked by a complex of historically developed political, economic relations and diverse humanitarian ties. The significance of Egypt for Russia is determined by its role as one of the leading political, economic and cultural centers of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the vast Islamic world. Sea, land and air communications of international importance run through the territory of the Arab Republic of Egypt (ARE). Cooperation with Egypt meets Russia's interests in one of the most important geopolitical regions in the Middle East, which is located close to our southern borders. Based on this, cooperation between the two countries will contribute to ensuring the stability of Russia's position in the Islamic world, creating favorable conditions for the development of Russian regions with Muslim populations, maintaining and strengthening Russia's position in the global oil and gas market, in the strategically important market for Russian agricultural and high-tech products, and exporting goods and services within the- Technical cooperation, in the aerospace field, etc.Russia has extensive and significant ties with Egypt in the humanitarian sphere-through international tourism, the large Russian community in this country, and cooperation between the Christian and Muslim faiths. For the effective implementation of the goals and objectives of Russian foreign policy, it is essential to coordinate the international activities of Russia and Egypt on the basis of coordinated inter-ministerial consultations on the issues of the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries and other reputable international organizations. In fact, since the" June 30 revolution " of 2013, information about the ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:12 +0300

IMAN NASIRI (Morocco) ADIL GUEVARA* I'm nineteen years old. I go out into the street and join everyone in chanting slogans as sharp as a dagger, with which we want to destroy all the disgusting vices of our society. We don't have oil, yes, we are not as rich as the countries of the Middle East, but we young people want to work and do something for our country. And we are not allowed to participate in political life or be in power structures. And here I am shouting even louder, shouting slogans so that everyone can hear me, so that all of us young people can be heard. I'm sick of these rich sons, and I don't want to get rich just to go to private school. And I don't want to use my few acquaintances to be treated in a private clinic. I'll get my degree soon. And I'll have to look for a job. But how? I don't know who could help me. There's nothing special about me. And I don't want to go to France. Then neither here nor there will consider you their own. I would like to buy an apartment. But very expensive. We should get a car, too. But this is generally unthinkable, what kind of money... And so I want to travel! But you don't even have to dream about it. I'm just suffocating from all these impossibilities. So I fight every day. I'm going out for demonstrations. My colleagues call me Adil Guevara. Because I also want my country, Morocco, to embark on the road of progress, to be able to free itself from the ulcers that have covered our society. I want everyone to stop being hypocritical. I want everyone - both parliamentary deputies, ministers, and officials, well, everyone-to feel their responsibility, so that they can explain where all our troubles come from... I believe that the "top" think about it, think about what is best to do and how... But when will we see the changes? How much longer do we have to endure? The day before yesterday I met with my friend Hamza. He's always on the same page as me at demonstrations. He told me that he wanted to see me tonight, at ei ... Read more

Vietnam Online added new blog post

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:09 +0300

LINA BEN MHENNI (Tunisia) story Lina "- literally means "Our". That is, the one that belongs to us. The one with us. There was an omen in the name given to me at birth. Could it have affected my fate? After all, I was the first child in a family that lived in a country where it is desirable that the firstborn was a son. And where the daughter who took his place was almost a disgrace to the mother, and the father, who could not immediately continue his family, was forever under the shadow of the discontent of his relatives. But there were also those who tried to comfort my parents. "She's such a cute girl! And you're still so young, both of you, that there'll be time for a boy, too! A son will definitely be born!" a friend, a publisher by profession, reassured them. But the paradox is that in my family, my parents passionately wanted to have a girl as their first child. Yes, and the maternal grandmother was for the girl: after all, in her youth, she was a fan of the first Tunisian president, Habib Bourguiba, who has the honor of emancipating women in our country... "Lina! Let's call her Lina! my parents exclaimed when they saw me. "But, sir," the official who registered my birth certificate objected to my father, " Muslims don't have such a name - Lina! And I can't write it down in Tunisian! This solemn refusal of the municipal employee, who absolutely did not want me to register under that name, struck my father to the heart. After all, my name did not fall from the sky to them. They chose it among thousands of other names just because it sounded beautiful in all languages. And this international sound was especially important for my father and mother: they were Marxist-Leninist activists at that time, and their home was always full of guests from all continents... And now my father is being told that Muslims don't have such a name. That the name is not Arabic... For my father, this was the first serious encounter with life, with "human stupidity," as he said. But a ... Read more