Abstract: The article is devoted to the analysis of the fundamental principles and ideological foundations of Hamas, a radical Islamist and Sunni Palestinian movement. The key feature of the organization is the rejection of the existence of Israel as a State and the desire for total control over the Palestinian territories through jihad. These attitudes are deeply rooted in the Islamic doctrine of the movement. The work explores the origins of the organization's formation, basic documents and principles of functioning. Special attention is paid to the study of the decision-making mechanisms of the Hamas leadership and the motivating factors of their actions. The article also provides an overview of various points of view on the ideology and activities of Hamas. At the same time, it is noted that, despite the ambiguous assessments of the organization's methods, the international community as a whole recognizes the legitimacy of the Palestinian demands. To achieve the purpose of the study, the following methods were used: empirical – analysis of documents (to analyze the Hamas Charter), general scientific – comparative analysis (to establish the differences between the Islamic Resistance Movement and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and, especially, differences in the attitude of these organizations to reconciliation with Israel), logical methods – to formulate the conclusions of the study. The article provides an overview of various points of view on the ideology and activities of Hamas. At the same time, it is noted that, despite the ambiguous assessments of the organization's methods, the international community as a whole recognizes the legitimacy of the Palestinian demands. The radicalization of the Palestinian Hamas movement, which initially emerged as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, led to the transformation of the organization from a peaceful religious structure with a social orientation into a militant quasi-state. It is noteworthy that, despite its Sunni roots, Hamas receives funding from Shiite Iran. Current trends towards normalization of relations between Israel and the Sunni Arab States have become a catalyst for Hamas to unleash a full-scale conflict. The organization, which has consistently thwarted all attempts at peaceful dialogue between the Palestinians and Israelis, has moved to an active phase of the struggle for the liberation of Palestine, using the current geopolitical window of opportunity. The dominant processes for Hamas in the Arab Sunni environment (the prospects for Arab-Israeli and Sunni-Israeli mutual understanding in the modern historical window of opportunity) pushed the organization to a full-scale war with Israel for the liberation of Palestine.

Keywords: history, Middle East, Arab-Israeli conflict, The Flood of al-Aqsa, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, genesis, HAMAS, international relations

Abstract: The relevance of the topic is conditioned by the significant influence of the US-Iraqi relations on the strategic stability and political architecture of the Middle East in the XXI century. The author examined the key aspects of interaction between the Republic of Iraq and the United States in the political, economic and defense spheres following the adoption of the Framework Agreement in 2008, as well as the influence of American foreign policy on the development of the Iraqi state while maintaining the American military presence. The author investigated the mechanisms and instruments used by the United States to ensure its long-term influence in Iraq. The 2008 Framework Agreement, which became the basic document for determining the priority areas of cooperation between the U.S. and Iraq, is analyzed. Special attention is paid to U.S. economic interests, political restrictions for Iraq in the sphere of foreign policy contacts, and the preservation of the U.S. military presence in the country. It is noted that cooperation with the United States creates both opportunities for the recovery and modernization of the Iraqi economy and dependence on U.S. political and economic decisions. Event analysis made it possible to study in detail the dynamics of key events that influenced the nature of bilateral interaction, it helped to identify cause-and-effect relationships between events and their consequences for Iraqi-American relations. The use of the functional analysis made it possible to systematize information about the interaction between Washington and Baghdad in strategically important areas: politics, economics, and cultural and humanitarian ties.

Keywords: US-Iraqi relations, Framework agreement, Middle East, economic cooperation, US military presence, multi-vector policy, international security, foreign policy, USA, Iraq

Abstract: The research considers articles by Polish journalists devoted to the external threats of modern Poland as the subject of research. They reflect the opinions of the authors on the most relevant aspects of this issue. Based on the materials of the most famous media outlets Dziennik Zachodni, Gazeta Wyborcza, Polityka, Rzeczpospolita and Wprost, coverage of Poland's foreign policy problems in late 2023 and early 2024 is demonstrated, when an information campaign launched in Western countries intensified, related to the dissemination of false information about Moscow's upcoming invasion of Europe. It is emphasized that the materials of Polish publications are biased, especially publications about Russia. Special attention is paid to the background of the issue – the Three Seas project and Polish-American relations. The characteristics of all used newspapers and magazines are given. As a research method, content analysis is used, which allows analyzing the content of the publications in question in the media. The novelty of the work lies in the fact that for the first time it provides a comprehensive analysis of the materials of the leading Polish media on the topic of the article. The author concludes that in the Polish press the main external threat is considered to be the threat from Russia. In order to eliminate this threat, the Poles propose measures to strengthen Ukraine in order to defeat Russia as soon as possible. Polish media pay great attention to Russia's special operation in Ukraine, which they call the war of Russia with Ukraine, and are afraid of Moscow's further advance to the West. At the same time, journalists often refer to the opinions of Western politicians, military and journalists. Some Polish journalists publish optimistic articles about the possibility of a peaceful settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the elimination of the military threat from Russia. However, in general, the Polish press remains negative towards the Kremlin.

Keywords: EU, special operation, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Central and Eastern Europe, Polish press, Three Seas, external threats, Polish foreign policy, Poland, NATO

Abstract: The relevance of the study is due to the rapid development of cultural diplomacy in the PRC against the background of the confrontation between the People's Republic of China and the US for world domination. The object of the study is the cultural diplomacy of the People's Republic of China. The subject of the study is the cultural diplomacy of China. A research objective is to determine the role of cultural diplomacy in the foreign policy of the People's Republic of China. The main tasks of the research are to investigate the history of Chinese cultural diplomacy after the formation of the People's Republic of China, to identify key changes in the PRC’s cultural diplomacy against the background of the deterioration of bilateral relations with the USSR, to analyze the PRC’s cultural diplomacy at the current stage, to define the main tools of implementation of cultural diplomacy of the People's Republic of China. This study is based on the "power transition" theory, explaining the process of changing the global leader in the world scene and its accompanying processes. The scientific novelty of this study is to define key tools of cultural diplomacy of the PRC at the current stage, which can include academic exchanges, dissemination of Chinese language, cinema, video games; to establish Western youth as a key goal of Chinese cultural diplomacy. The main conclusions of the study are analisys of the cultural diplomacy of the PRC, establishment of the main directions of PRC's cultural diplomacy, identification of a change in the vector of cultural diplomacy of the PRC against the background of the deterioration of bilateral relations with the USSR, identification of the key tools of cultural diplomacy of the PRC at the current stage.

Keywords: Language, Culture, Power transition, USSR, US, PRC, Cultural diplomacy, Soft power, China, Media

Abstract: This article examines the «Cool Japan» strategy as one of Japan's soft power tools in the process of building the country's national image. The article focuses on the mechanisms by which the «Cool Japan» strategy is implemented as part of public diplomacy to enhance the country's cultural and political influence. The article also explores how the strategy contributes to the establishment of a distinctive national image that influences the perception of Japan in different regions of the world and promotes its integration into the global cultural and economic field. To achieve the research objectives, the article applies an interdisciplinary approach, including elements of international relations theory and sociocultural theory. The main research methods used are: content analysis, case studies, historical and comparative analysis. The novelty of this paper lies in the comprehensive analysis of «Cool Japan» as a soft power strategy aimed at redefining and reshaping Japan's national image. The article offers a distinctive perspective on soft power in the context of Japanese foreign policy and assesses the effectiveness of «Cool Japan» implementation at the regional and global levels. «Cool Japan» served as the catalyst for Japan's successful rebranding, allowing the country to redefine and update its perception in the eyes of the global community. Anime and manga, as central elements of Japanese pop culture, have become global phenomena actively consumed in various countries around the world. These cultural products not only contribute to increasing interest in Japan, but have also become important components in building a positive image of the country by appealing to different demographic groups. Given historical factors and political differences, East Asian countries such as China and the Republic of Korea are actively consuming Japanese cultural products. This fact shows that Japanese soft power is successfully breaking barriers and gaining acceptance in the region.

Keywords: Olympic Games, Manga, Anime, Cultural Politics, Public Diplomacy, Cool Japan, Japan, East Asia, National Image, Rebranding

Abstract: The article is devoted to the analysis of the development of strategic relations between China and Russia, with an emphasis on the analysis of key documents and statements made by the heads of the two countries in the period from 1996 to 2025. It examines the evolution of the partnership between China and Russia, which has gone from the initial formation of the concept of "strategic" to the current "golden age" of "inclusiveness", when both countries established a cooperation in a complex and changing international context. These new interstate relations play a key role in responding to challenges in world politics, promoting economic cooperation, and ensuring global and regional security. The article emphasizes that Russian-Chinese relations have evolved from pragmatic cooperation in the economic sphere to a comprehensive strategic partnership, including coordination in the international arena. The theoretical basis is the relational theory of world politics by Qin Yaqing. The author also uses an interdisciplinary approach based on the methods of structural realism, historical-comparative and problem-chronological analysis. China and Russia view each other as priority partners, as evidenced by the growth of bilateral trade and joint efforts to create a new international order based on the principles of multipolarity and mutual respect. The paper identifies three key periods of development of Russian-Chinese cooperation: the initial stage (1996-2006), the phase of rapid growth (2006-2016) and the modern "golden period" of comprehensive partnership (2016–present). This study will provide a new perspective on the role of China and Russia in modern international relations. The article concludes that Russian-Chinese relations represent a unique model of cooperation between great powers based on equality, trust and mutual benefit. In the future, the author predicts further strengthening of cooperation in the political, economic and military spheres, as well as increased coordination within international organizations such as the United Nations, BRICS and SCO.

Keywords: BRICS, SOC, trade relations, cooperation, great powers, diplomacy, strategic partnership, Russia, China, UN