TOP PROBLEM

CHINA, INDIA AND THE U.S.: THE CORRELATION OF FORCES IS CHANGING by F.N.Yurlov, Dr.Sc. (History)

Keywords: global crisis, India, China, USA

In times of global economic and financial crisis relations between India, China and USA are of paramount importance, especially given the recession in Europe and a sluggish economy in USA and Japan. Despite the crisis, India and China are experiencing high rates of economic growth. However, they are not isolated from the global economy, and each country has its own response to its manifestation.

POLICY. ECONOMY

TALIBAN'S INFORMATION WAR: WASHINGTON TOOK UP A DEFENSE POSITION by N.A.Tsvetkova, PhD (History), St. Petersburg State University. Part 1

Keywords: Afghanistan, information warfare, public diplomacy, the U.S., Pakistan

In connection with the withdrawal of coalition troops from Afghanistan in 2014, the efforts in the humanitarian and socio-economic sectors to ensure stability and sustainable development of the country in the so-called transition period are becoming more and more important. A special role is played by the information component. Hailed by B.Obama in December 2009, a new strategy in Afghanistan includes implementation of a set of measures against the spread of ideology promoted by the Taliban movement and Al-Qaeda.

XXI CENTURY PROJECT, OR RADIO TELESCOPE MEASURING A SQUARE KILOMETER by Yu.A.Voinov

Keywords: Australia, South Africa, next-generation radio telescope, SKA

Fierce competition is going on between Australia and New Zealand on the one hand, and a group of Southern Africa states led by the Republic of South Africa, on the other hand, for the right to become a place for the implementation of a unique research project - the construction of a giant radio telescope, which should consist of an array of different types of antennas installed at various large venues.

It should eventually exceed all existing world counterparts. It is assumed that such super telescopes will help scientists to answer many fundamental questions of astronomy and astrophysics.

WORLD IMPORTANCE OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA'S BAUXITE RESOURCES by Z.S.Novikova, PhD (Economy)

Keywords: global resources, bauxite mining, alumina and aluminum industries, struggle for bauxite resources, energy potential, China, RUSAL

Sub-Saharan Africa ranks the first in terms of bauxite resources of high-grade ore possessing under half the world's known reserves. Developed countries - the main consumers of aluminum - are greatly interested in access to African bauxite deposits. Africa became very important source of this raw material to USA, European countries, Japan. Guinea is the world's number one bauxite exporter. The world bauxite market in the 2000s is being changed with appearance of some new investors that take an interest in mining development in Guinea and other African countries. Among them there are Russia, China and some others.

HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN SAUDI ARABIA by K.P.Dudarev. Part 2 (part 1 - "Asia and Africa Today". 2012, N 12).

Keywords: business in Saudi Arabia, experience of Russian companies in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

The article examines the experience of Russian companies which are doing business in Saudi Arabia. The author describes the customs and traditions of Saudi society, provides specific guidelines for choosing the native personnel and for negotiating with Saudi partners. He describes the investment attractiveness of the market of the KSA, analyzes the state of Russian-Saudi relations at the present stage.

SMALL BUSINESS IN JAPAN: QUALITY MANAGEMENT by A.N.Kovtunova, PhD (Pedagogics),

Urals Pedagogical University (Ekaterinburg)

Keywords: quality management, small and medium business, continuous improvement, organizational philosophy, Japan

In recent years, small and medium enterprises in Japan pay more and more attention to quality management of products and services. This paper describes in particular features and practical experience of qualified management tools used in small and medium-sized enterprises. Those of them which take a course on the development of advanced technologies produce original and even unique products.

NIGERIA AND SPACE by L.V.Shkvarya, Dr.Sc. (Economy)

Keywords: Nigeria, Nigeria's space program, Nigerian economy

The paper analyzes the Space Program and space activities in general of Nigeria - the largest economy in West Africa. The author addresses the objectives and purposes of this activity, its features, opportunities and achievements. She describes the main potential areas of possible Russian-Nigerian cooperation in the field of space exploration.

ECONOMIC BREAKTHROUGH OF QATAR by E.O.Kasaev

Keywords: Qatar, transport, ports, banks, information sector

The author analyzes in detail the status and prospects of the transport, banking, information and communication sectors of Qatari economy, estimates the volume of foreign and native investments into these spheres. The author comes to conclusion that the development of these most important spheres of Qatari economy are a key long-term challenge of the emirate.

SCIENCE NEWS

FRICAN STUDIES IN ESTONIA by Karin Hiiemaa (Estonia), PhD (History)

Keywords: African studies, Ethiopian studies, Estonia, University of Tartu

The history of African studies in Estonia dates back to the

19th century. The founders of African studies in Estonia can be considered Estonian missionaries working in Africa in the 19th century.

The growth of interest in the subject of Africa in Estonia after World War II is related to the activity of the linguist Pent Nurmekund. Besides language issues, the research interests of P. Nurmekund were focused also on the history of African studies, including the Estonian missionaries in Africa. The teaching of African history was started at the University of Tartu in 1966.

FOREIGN EXPERT OPINION

NOSTALGIA AS A SOCIAL PHENOMENON by A.A.Neduva (Israel), Dr.Sc. (Medicine)

Keywords: immigration, nostalgia, depression, memories of the homeland

Arriving in a new country people face with the problem of social and psychological adjustment. Sudden change in living conditions, changing the social and professional status, the loss of the language of communication - all this leads to stress reactions and nostalgic.

RUSSIA-EAST

THE RUSSIAN-CHINESE INVESTMENT COOPERATION: CURRENT SITUATION AND PROSPECTS by L.V.Novoselova, Dr.Sc. (Economy)

Keywords: the Far East, China, cooperation program, investment projects, financing

The article deals with the investment component of the Russian-Chinese business intercourse within the context of potential using the high development of energy of China in the interests of modernization and diversification of the Russian economy.

It contains a comprehensive analysis of the current situation in the Russian-Chinese investment cooperation, including causes and factors which determine its lagging behind the bylateral trade.

A considerable attention is paid to a review of the recently adopted "Program of Cooperation between the Far East/ Eastern Siberia of Russia and the North-Eastern regions of the PRC in the years 2009 - 2018", as well as to assessment of its role in stimulating the Russian-Chinese investment interaction.

POST GRADUATE COLUMN

RUSSIA AND GHANA: TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS by E.I.Tereshchenko

Keywords: Ghana. Russia, trade, economic cooperation

The article provides a glimpse of the current state of the Russia-Ghana trade and economic relations. The author focuses mainly on the review of the existing projects and plans of the Russian companies on the Ghanaian market and identifies major constraints of the bilateral trade cooperation.

CHINESE STUDENTS IN THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL

by V.V.Glebov, PhD (Psychology). Candidate for a doctor's degree

Keywords: foreign student, education, intercultural communication, adaptation processes

According to the Chinese Ministry of Education, about 340 thousand Chinese students are studying abroad. 15 thousand of them are trained in the Russian Federation. In comparison with other countries this figure looks more than modest.

But in China itself there is a growing demand for education in Russian universities, because intensively developing bilateral economic cooperation needs the well-trained personnel.

EVENTS. FACTS. COMMENTS

MEETING WITH ART OF ANCIENT NATION by K.V.Meshcherina

Keywords: Week of Iranian culture in Russia, the Russian-Iranian relations, art, cinema

The author tells about Week of Iranian culture which took place in October 2012 in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Russians were presented samples of achievements of Iran in the fields of arts and crafts, music and cinematography.

CULTURE. LITERATURE, ART

JAPANESE YOUTH: SKETCHES FOR A PORTRAIT by E.L.Katasonova, Dr.Sc. (History)

Keywords: Japan, Japanese infantilism, teenagers, youth subcultures

Spirit of infantilism is so deeply penetrated into the Japanese culture, that sometimes it seems that sensible and rational Japanese not without pleasure plunged into this happy, nostalgic world. The very Japanese society, despite its social closeness, many traditional regulation and rationality of thought, has accepted the terms of these fun games to childhood.

BOOK REVIEW

A BOOK ABOUT DEATH OF JAMAHIRIYA by A.B.Podtserob, PhD (History)

In autumn 2012, the first anniversary of killing of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, professor A.Z.Egorin, head of the Research Center "Russian-Arab dialogue" published a book about the civil war in Libya. His work "The overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. Libyan Diary, 2011 - 2012" (Moscow, Institute of Oriental Studies, 2012) continues researches by Russian arabists of the events that swept the Arab world in 2011 - 2012.

PROBLEMS OF AFRICAN FAMILY by E.S.Lvova, Dr.Sc. (History)

I.G.Rybalkina has published a new book "The Family in Africa" (Moscow, Institute for African Studies, 2011, 238 p.). The author is well known for her monographs, articles, chapters in collective works on gender issues of the continent. In this book she explores the transformation of African family under the influence of globalization and migration, and the impact of current socio-economic crisis and the AIDS pandemic on the family structure on the continent.

A UNIQUE BOOK ABOUT A UNIQUE XX CENTURY LEADER by N.I.Petrov

In October 2012 London Publishing House Saqi Books issued in Arabic and English Academician Alexei Vasiliev's book King Faisal. Personality, Faith and Times which originally appeared in Russian in 2010. The author intended to break Soviet stereotypes which underestimated the role of a personality that was able to overcome historical determinism singlehandedly with his willpower, intelligence and luck. It was one of the greatest Arab leaders - King Faisal who ideally fitted as this kind of personality. Academician E.M.Primakov in his review of a Russian edition noted that King Faisal was the most successful Saudi ruler who led his country to a level of a powerful actor in world policy.

Permanent link to this publication: