Abstract: The subject of this study is the historical origins of the modern ideological split in Russia, which is most clearly manifested in the conflict of generations. The beginning of this split dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, when, mainly among young people, under the influence of criticism of the cult of Stalin's personality, a rethinking of all previous political and social experience began, resulting in an ideological and psychological crisis of mass consciousness, one of the manifestations of which was youth nihilism. The purpose of the work is to analyze the ideological split between youth and the older generation in the 1950s and 1960s, which allows us to trace the further evolution and current state of the generational conflict in Russia. The main attention is paid to the characteristics of the socio-psychological state of young people in crisis and their attitude to the adult world. The methodological basis of the research was the theoretical principles of sociological constructivism, associated with the identification of public consciousness as a decisive factor of social interaction, when the subjective perception of reality sets the semantic framework and meanings of social practices. The paper uses a systematic method that allows us to combine narrative analysis with historical and sociological research data. Results: the connection between the ideological split of the period of the "Khrushchev thaw" and the conflict of generations has been revealed. The origins of youth nihilism and the crisis of Soviet identity as a factor of social crisis have been discovered. The conclusion is made about the formation in Russia of a kind of existential vacuum conducive to the reproduction of generational conflict. The novelty of the work is connected with the replacement of the traditional object of research proposed by the author in the study of the conflict of generations. Instead of the usual comparative analysis of ideas, values, orientations of youth and the adult world, an attempt is presented to study the crisis state of society as a decisive factor in the conflict of generations, when youth acts only as a social space in which the ideological crisis and the clash of values receives a favorable living environment and therefore is revealed more clearly. The work can be used for a deeper understanding of the modern ideological split of age groups and the search for practical ways to overcome it.

Keywords: Western orientation, nihilism, Khrushchev's thaw, youth, generational conflict, value divisions, ideological and psychological crisis, crisis of soviet identity, ideological split, faith undermining

Abstract: The article examines the key changes in the balance of power in the South Caucasus in the 2020s, analyzing the consequences of the Caucasian War in 2020 and the influence of external actors on regional security. The authors explore the political, economic and military aspects contributing to the transformation of the geopolitical situation, including the role of Russia, Turkey and Iran. Particular attention is paid to the conflicts that have arisen as a result of recent events, as well as the internal challenges faced by the States of the region. The object of the study is the processes of changing the balance of power in the South Caucasus. The subject of the study is the factors influencing these changes, such as the geopolitical interests of states, internal conflicts and the socio-economic development of the countries of the region. The purpose of this study is to formulate forecasts of future changes and development of the balance of power in the South Caucasus in the medium term.  The research is based on a systematic approach. The study considers the South Caucasus as a complex and interconnected system in which political, economic and social factors influence the balance of power. When studying media materials and scientific publications, the content analysis method was used to identify key trends and changes in the political situation in the region. The conclusions of the study emphasize the importance of a multilateral approach to the security of the South Caucasus, as well as the need for a deep understanding of the internal and external factors determining the stability of the countries of the region. The novelty lies in a comprehensive approach to the study of changes in the political, economic and military-strategic spheres that are taking place in the South Caucasus. The emphasis is also placed on the transformation of the roles of not only key players such as Russia, Turkey and Iran, but also the influence of the EU, the United States and Israel in the context of modern geopolitical realities. To ensure long-term stability in the region, a multilateral approach is required, including not only military, but also economic, diplomatic and cultural aspects. The creation of mechanisms for cooperation and dialogue between the States of the South Caucasus will help to alleviate tension and prevent the escalation of conflicts.

Keywords: transport corridors, energy resources, regional security, geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, power balance, South Caucasus, self-determination

Abstract: The subject of the study is the foreign policy expertise of the United States of America in the interwar period on the problem of the development of national liberation movements on the outskirts of European empires and methods of fighting them. This perspective allows us to take a new look at the problems of ensuring the internal security of global empires, their position in the Versailles-Washington system of international relations, the prospects for the development of colonial possessions and mandated territories, as well as the specifics of relations of empires with each other and with the United States (for the first time actively intervened in the conflict on European territory and in the construction of a new configuration of international relations). And also to determine the place and role of foreign policy expertise, its main characteristics and features in the analysis of colonial conflicts and methods of their resolution. The article uses such methods of historical research as problem-analytical, synchronic, comparative-historical and methods of system analysis. The main conclusions of the conducted research are that there was no unanimity among experts and in relation to the future of colonial systems. The obviousness of the collapse of the “old order” in metropolis-colony relations forced experts to look for possible options to minimize this process. Here the concepts of “civilizational mission” of empires were expressed, which were characterized by undoubted racism towards colonial peoples, the purpose of which was “Europeanization” of local elites with the subsequent transfer of powers to manage the former colonies. In addition, US think tanks and expert organizations of the interwar period played a leading role in the formation of the so-called “special relations” between the United States and Great Britain.

Keywords: counterinsurgency, British Empire, imperialism, colonialism, national liberation movements, analytical centers, think tanks, interwar period, foreign policy expertise, expert community

Abstract: The subject of this study is the change in migration regulation and public discourse on immigration in the UK after leaving the European Union. On the basis of official statistical data and survey data conducted by the largest companies in the field of marketing research and national centers for sociological research, the degree of influence of Brexit on the transformation of migration processes in the UK and the change in British public opinion on the issue of the country's immigration policy is analyzed. Brexit changed the structure of migration in the UK, the growth of net migration was provided by the outflow of European citizens and immigration from non-EU countries. The public perception of migration processes is opportunistic and depends on the political preferences of citizens and the degree of speculation on the migration topic in the media. The theoretical basis of the research is neofunctionalism as a theory of disintegration applicable to European integration. The methodological basis of the study is a systematic approach and predictive methods using inductive algorithms, which were expressed in the construction of a scenario of post-integration interaction between London and Brussels in the field of migration regulation. Content analysis was used to study regulatory documents. It is concluded that any British government is faced with the usual compromise between the needs of the economy and migration policy, which is non-systemic and adapts to public opinion. It has been revealed that the migration issue is being resolved not from a legal, but from a political point of view, acting as an instrument of the electoral struggle between Conservatives and Labour. The dynamics of public opinion regarding the economic and cultural consequences of immigration is positive, but a drastic reduction in public discontent is possible only when solving systemic problems of migration policy. The author concludes that a way out of the political crisis is possible, including through a return to free movement with the EU, which in the short term is a taboo topic for the Labour government.

Keywords: political crisis, conservatives, laborites, the economic imperative of migration, tightening of migration policy, net migration, public opinion, post-Brexit, the EU's democratic deficit, political hypocrisy

Abstract: This article analyzes a little-known book by Michael Stepanov devoted to the military actions of the Ruschuk Detachment under the command of the Successor Tsesarevich Alexander Alexandrovich during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. The book, published on the tenth anniversary of the end of the war and has not been republished since, is a comprehensive systematic review of the unit’s participation in military operations. The author of the work, an officer of the Russian General Staff, was a direct participant in the events that took place, since during the war he was seconded to the headquarters of the Ruschuk Detachment. The use of the method of archive source analysis allows us to identify the features of Michael Stepanov’s book and his author’s style, the significance of the work as a source on the history of the Russo-Turkish war. In the course of the conducted research, it was found that this book contains a detailed, systematic and highly qualified review of the actions of the Ruschuk Detachment during the war. An analysis of Michael Stepanov’s work shows that the book in its genre is not a memoir literature, but a military historical essay. The author is characterized by an objective approach to describing events, the absence of protruding his own role, moreover, he mentions himself extremely rarely and exclusively in the third person. Michael Stepanov’s book is being studied for the first time, despite its undoubted importance for analyzing the combat path of such a famous unit of the Russian Danube Army as the Ruschuk Detachment, which played a significant role in ensuring Russia’s victory in the Balkan theater of operations. Michael Stepanov’s work, based on a wide source base, remains relevant to this day for a comprehensive study of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.

Keywords: officer of the General Staff, Michael Stepanov, Grand Duke Sergey, Grand Duke Vladimir, Alexander III, Russian Imperial House, Ruschuk Detachment, Danube Army, Balkans, Russo-Turkish War

Abstract: The article examines the main activities of the US Agency for International Development in Armenia and Moldova in the 2020s. In the work, each individual USAID program is considered not individually, but in conjunction with other programs in the same or other areas. Special attention is paid to the relationship between USAID's activities and the policies of the Armenian and Moldovan authorities, as well as the Agency's interaction with non-profit organizations funded by American or Western organizations. The object of the study is the areas of USAID's work related to economic, information, cultural and other spheres. The subject of the study is specific programs implemented under the supervision of the United States Agency for International Development. The purpose of the study is to review and evaluate the activities of USAID in Armenia and Moldova. The study is based on a systematic approach that allows USAID activities to be considered as one of the components of the US foreign policy strategy. The conclusions emphasize the multidirectional nature of the work of the US Agency for International Development, as well as the prospects for the development of the situation, which will largely depend on the parliamentary elections in Moldova and Armenia. Various USAID programs in Armenia and Moldova related to healthcare, the economy, including agriculture and energy, the information sphere, and support for non-profit organizations are ultimately aimed at cultural and economic integration with the West. Washington's influence on public opinion in Armenia and Moldova and the possible dependence on the economic sphere will allow the United States to put pressure on the governments of the two countries in the future if they do not adhere to a pro-Western course, as is currently the case.

Keywords: media, energy, cybersecurity, education, Soft power, USAID, USA, Moldova, Armenia, democracy

Abstract: The article examines the issue of ideological content of the representative image of "Russia" and "Russians" in the modern Western video game industry. The purpose of this study is to study the video game industry as an example of an effective tool in the framework of the "soft power" policy of Western countries. The study identified the main archetypes (4 archetypes) in the representation of "Russia" and "Russians" in the Western video game industry, and highlighted the necessary measures for the successful development of the domestic video game industry as an integral part of cultural policy. The subject of the study is the works of the video game industry, in which Russia is present, in the role of the main / auxiliary antagonist of the story. The object of the research is political and ideological narratives in the representation of the image of "Russia" and "Russians" in the products of the Western video game industry.  To study the narratives and images embedded in the representative image of "Russia" and "Russians" in the video game industry, qualitative content analysis was applied, which allowed us to identify the main characteristics and archetypes. Quantitative content analysis was applied to consider the representation of the Eastern Front in projects dedicated to the Second World War. According to the results of the study, it was found that in the video game industry, the representation of "Russians" is negative, portraying them as the main or auxiliary antagonists. At their core, video games are based on visual images and narratives shaped by American popular culture during the Cold War, adapted to the modern military-political agenda. However, such a negative connotation is determined not so much by tradition, but by the emerging military and political situation. In addition, the representation of Russians as antagonists also has an economic aspect related to the proportionally smaller size of the domestic market compared to the Western or eastern one. In this regard, the protest of the Russian-speaking community, in the event of the appearance of antagonists of Russian nationality, will not have a significant impact on sales volumes. Projects dedicated to the Second World War are a separate area of the video game industry. The developers do not dedicate individual projects to the events on the Eastern Front, leaving the events in this theater as one of the components of the story campaigns. From the point of view of representing "Russia" and "Russians," the video games in this segment follow the narrative tradition laid down by former Wehrmacht generals, broadcasting historical fakes.

Keywords: representation of Russia, storyline, political technologies, narrative design, policy, propaganda, Videogames, information technologies, political reality, soft power

Abstract: The article analyses of the ideas of the Spanish conservatives in the sphere of social policy. The "social question" related to the precarious material situation of industrial workers, in Spain, as in other European countries, manifested itself along with a number of other conflicts related to dynastic disputes, government forms, local and economic restrictions. Of all the conflicts, the Spanish conservatives considered the "social question" to be the most serious, since they saw in it the largest threat to property and public order. Conservatives criticized socialism as an attempt to solve the "social question" through a complete change in the relations of property and power. Conservatives also disagreed with laissez-faire liberalism, which opposed any state intervention in the economy. The political and philosophical heritage of Balmes, Cortes, Bravo Murillo and Canovas del Castillo as the most famous Spanish conservatives of the 19th century was analysed. The article studies justification of possible social policy measures in the works and public speeches of these thinkers. Conservatives believed that inequality was inherent and that material inequality was inevitable. Spanish conservatives believed that religious charity and corporate support were the means to alleviate the discontent of the least well-off and to mitigate social conflicts. According to conservatives, state social support should only be used in cases where charity or corporate assistance was insufficient. Conservative political philosophy influenced the nature and content of social laws in Spain. The social policy system that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries reflected conservative values that were later developed in corporate social security mechanisms in the mid-20th century and still influence a number of aspects of the Spanish welfare state.

Keywords: charity, social policy, social question, socialism, conservatism, Canovas del Castillo, Bravo Murillo, Balmes, Donoso Cortes, history of Spain

Abstract: The subject of the study is the regional dimension of "the Great Game" during its formation and development. The relevance of the study is due to the current increase in international tension and confrontation between Russia and the states of the collective West, as well as the related threats of destabilization of the Central Asian region. At the same time, there are many diverse, including mutually exclusive, interpretations of the regional dimension of "the Great Game" in the discourses. The purpose of the article is to characterize the transformation of the geographical boundaries of the classical version of the Russian–British geopolitical rivalry in Central and South Asia during its formation and development (late XVIII – mid XIX centuries). The following research sources were used: works by Russian and British travelers, officers and residents; interstate legal acts; reference publications. The methodological basis of the research is the provisions of neorealism in terms of a systematic analysis of international relations, which led to the use of historical-genetic, activity-based and comparative methods. As a result of the study, the problem of having many different interpretations of the regional dimension of "the Great Game" was identified. The reasons, context, and features of the formation of the area of Russian-British geopolitical rivalry are clarified. The core and periphery of this phenomenon are highlighted. The trends of localization and displacement of "hotbeds" of activity within the framework of this competition are substantiated. The stages of transformation of the geographical boundaries of the classic version of "the Great Game" are characterized. The conducted research allows us to identify the core (the main space) and the periphery (periodically activated "pockets") of the Russian-British geopolitical rivalry. The core of "the Great Game" has traditionally been the territories of India and Afghanistan. Peripheral "foci" located along the perimeter of the core and connected to it existed alternately, synchronously, or partially intersected in time. It has been established that there is a pattern in the relationship between the phases of activation of "the Great Game" and the intensification of manifestations of British Russophobia, which has been acquiring the characteristics of ideology since the first third of the 19th century.

Keywords: international relations, India, South Asia, Central Asia, The Great Game, Russophobia, geopolitical rivalry, Anglo-Saxon Russophobia, Russia, Great Britain