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Post-Soviet Issues

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Vol 10, No 4 (2023)
View or download the full issue PDF (Russian)
https://doi.org/10.24975/2313-8920-2023-10-4

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND GLOBAL POLICY

318-336 403
Abstract

The aggravation of relations between Russia and Western countries in early 2022 has marked the formation of new supply chains for energy resources, particularly gas exports. Global energy transit is closely linked to fundamental problems in the world economy, which were aggravated during the coronavirus pandemic. Empirical evidence illustrates that new hydrocarbon supply chains have dramatically changed the balance of power in the global market. The reasons for this were the pricing policy as well as the supply and demand conditions in the market. Considering the gas market as a system of interrelated participants: producers and consumers, the study concludes that energy transit will be determined by the outcome of the economic competition between Russia and the West, as well as the speed of building the infrastructure necessary for the creation and transportation of liquefied natural gas. At the same time, the prospects for low-carbon energy are not so obvious. First of all, the high costs and the unwillingness of many countries to make significant investments hamper a transition. The study concludes that the restructuring of global energy supply chains is in the interests of some developed countries. In general, the current processes in the global energy sector represent a fundamental trend that is associated with the transition period of the world economy. The paper contributes to the knowledge by providing a comprehensive overview of the new processes in the energy sphere. 

337-346 389
Abstract

This article examines the role of stability of Niger uranium supply to France for the volume of electricity export to Europe, as well as the possible role of Russia in resolving the uranium deficit for nuclear power plants in France. France is considered one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, one of the main suppliers of uranium to France has been its former colony, represented by Niger. Due to the events of 27 July 2023 in the Niger, there is a high risk of a complete cut in the supply of Niger uranium to France, which threatens the energy security not only of France, but of all its neighbors: Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and others. Also in this work, the statistical data on uranium shipments from other countries to France are analyzed, the possible risks associated with the changing political situation in the African region are predicted and various measures are presented, which could be taken to mitigate the impact of the disruption of uranium supplies from the Niger to France’s nuclear sector. 

ECONOMY

347-355 645
Abstract

The article studies the problem of energy policy of the EU. Issues of creation of conditions necessary for realization of declared goals are considered. The features of implementation of the tasks are highlighted. It is concluded that the energy policy of the EU countries has both a number of advantages and a number of difficulties, which can become a significant obstacle to the implementation of all announced projects. The formation of European Union energy policy in recent years has been strongly influenced by external factors, such as: the emergence and development of new technologies, climate change, EU countries’ dependence on energy imports and new policy decisions. Considerable attention is being paid to renewable energy (RES) technologies, which, according to the official EU strategy, will be used for the construction of a closed energy system. Renewable energies include marine renewable energy, “green” public procurement, solar panels, alternative fuels. However, these projects pose a number of challenges for European countries, such as the need to build new infrastructure and reform the tax system. The fulfilment of all the objectives of the “European Green Deal” also involves certain risks, for example, the loss of a significant number of jobs by heavy industry workers and the loss of competitiveness of certain branches of the economy. European energy policy undoubtedly influences the policy of the Russian Federation. The global trend on renewable energy directly concerns Russia and the countries of the post-Soviet space, because this region has a high potential in this industry. This is particularly true for renewable energy sources such as wind power and hydropower. The development of renewable energy sources is undoubtedly a very important process for world politics, because energy is one of the most important resources that nations possess. It is very important to take this into account when considering the world’s political strategies. 

356-364 843
Abstract

The article examines the consequences of the Western states’ sanctions pressure on Russia for the EAEU. Special attention is paid to the position of the EAEU members amid two crucial events in the Ukrainian crisis: the reunification of Crimea with Russia (2014) and the beginning of a special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine (2022). Measures aimed at minimizing the damage from anti-Russian sanctions on the economies of the EAEU countries are considered, such as: customs, customs tariff and non-tariff regulation, protective measures; internal market and cooperation; financial and currency markets; international economic cooperation with third countries and integration associations. The priorities of Russia’s chairmanship in the EAEU in 2023 are analyzed. The prerequisites for the further development of the EAEU as a self-sufficient integration center in Eurasia and the prospects of the EAEU amid a confrontation between Russia and the West are examined. Among the negative factors slowing down the development of the EAEU the following stand out: the orientation of some members to the third countries’ markets, the modest pace of modernization and increasing the competitiveness of the economies of the EAEU countries, the insufficient level of development of transport infrastructure and logistics, the concerns of the EAEU members (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) of «secondary» sanctions, the absence of a consolidated position within the union regarding Western sanctions, the violation of transactional payments as an outcome of Russia’s disconnection from international payment systems. 

POLITICS

365-373 446
Abstract

The article is devoted to one of the important issues of the development of the political space, political system, political life, and ideological and cultural structure of modern Afghan society. The article attempts to analyze and discuss various aspects of the current state of the political culture of Afghanistan. The main attention is paid to the attitude of citizens to politics and the political regime of the Taliban (organization banned in Russia). Afghanistan’s current political culture is based on the models and values of the Taliban government. They rely on traditionalist political models. The implementation of modern political processes, such as elections, is not far from being able to question the power of representatives. It can be argued that political culture is the link between people and political power. The main task of political culture is to include people in the political system of society and political activities. Political culture is a system of political knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and values, as well as political activities of political subjects. For example, political culture manifests itself differently in different social groups and communities, political movements, and individuals. The study of the current state of the political culture of Afghanistan allows us to conclude that today the level of conflict is quite high, the mood of the Afghan society is at a disorganized level. A controversial political culture prevails in Afghan society. This conflict can be seen in social differences, institutional weakness, society’s distrust of functioning authority, and cultural differences. 

HISTORY AND RELIGION

374-398 309
Abstract

This third article examines such genres of cinema as war films, detectives and comedies the latest in the line of Arctic films. Thereby we draw a line under Arctic films, that have not received due attention from film critics and the public until now. The need to return to the past to take a fresh look at the solar, including its storyboard, taking into account the deep rethinking of the war and the direct depiction of what was experienced, to show a truthful and accurate image of the war on the example of the fate of one or many of its participants. Cinematographers constantly return to the theme of the war, its individual episodes, the people who took part in it, who noted their heroism in it, its new reading caused by changing socio-political views and access to previously censored circumstances, what is now called «trench truth».

«Another war» in pleacetime was reflected in the Arctic detectives. The enemy appears in them as criminal elements, sometimes was sophisticated and insidious plans, which in the conditions of the north require a special approach to solve then. Comedies have no geographical boundaries. Humor and laughter in the snow and ice is special, very often associated with the behavior of animals, especially dogs. 



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ISSN 2313-8920 (Print)
ISSN 2587-8174 (Online)