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2013 Asia and Africa today

REGIONAL SECURITY

JAPAN-CHINA DISPUTE: SENKAKU OR DIAOYU? by A.A.Kireyeva. Part 1

Keywords: Japan, China, territorial dispute, Senkaku / Diaoyu

The dispute about the islands   of Senkaku / Diaoyu Islands has become one of the most tense territorial disputes in East Asia. In fact, the islands are controlled by Japan, but sovereignty over them is disputed by the People’s Republic of China and by the Republic of China on Taiwan. This territorial dispute goes on for a long time without visible prospects for settlement, but also without degenerating into a military conflict.

REVOLT IN THE ARABIAN WORLD: CROPS AND SHOOTS

MUAMMAR GADDAFI’S DEATH: A LESSON OF HISTORY by E.I.Doroshenko, PhD (Philology)

Keywords: military conflict in Libya, democratization, political isolation law

The article examines one of the major Arab Spring events in Libya: the overthrow and death of Muammar Gaddafi on October 20, 2011, and describes its historical and political meaning, ramifications and present-day consequences. Briefly analyzing the two Libyan revolutions of 1969 and 2011, it underlines some of the peculiarities of the recent military conflict between the armed opposition and the former government. Focusing on such aspects as the role of the former regime’s Army, involvement of NATO as the “third party”, and Al-Qaeda’s presence among the anti-Gaddafi rebels, the paper draws parallels between the situation in Libya and Iraq, suggesting that there are significant similarities between the two evolving historical scenarios.

PALESTINE AUTONOMY AND THE “ARAB SPRING” by V.A.Korochkina (St.Petersburg University)

Keywords: “Arab Spring”, revolutionary events, Palestine Autonomy, Middle East, Israel, “Palestine Spring”

Revolutionary events of the so-called “Arab Spring” led to significant changes of domestic policy or ruling elite’s in some Middle East countries. At the same time “the Heart of the Arab World” - Palestine - managed to avoid the political regime’s overthrow. The author examines socio-political and socio-economic reasons of such course of events.

DYNAMIC BALANCE. THE U.S. ROLE   IN ENSURING ISRAEL’S MILITARY SUPERIORITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST by D.A.Degterev, PhD (Economics) and E.A.Styopkin

Keywords: USA, Qualitative military edge, Israel, the Middle East

The article deals with the analysis of the concept of Qualitative military edge (QME) as the cornerstone of U.S. military aid to Israel. The evolution of the volume and

structure of U.S. military aid to Israel over the past 60 years is given, including its role in the development of missile defense systems of Israel, as well as the analysis of the problems and prospects of U.S. military aid to Israel in the XXI century.

THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL AND AFRICA: CENTURY XXIst by V.G.Shubin, Dr.Sc. (History)

Keywords: Socialist International, Africa, SI’s XXIV Congress

During the last two decades the total number of African parties-members of the Socialist International (SI) has increased from seven to 20 full (18 countries) members, five parties with consultative status and seven observers. 12 of them are the ruling parties, and two are in coalition governments.

It seems that an important role in determining the relationship of the African parties to the Socialist International played and continues to play pragmatism: the desire to establish close relations with the political force, from which the policy of the Western countries towards Africa largely depends, including questions of economic aid, debt relief, etc.

The position of the Socialist International and its leading members on the most important problems facing the African continent were fairly detailed in the materials of its XXIV Congress in Capetown.

INTERNATIONALISATION OF YUAN CHINESE ASSETS ABROAD by M.V.Zharikov, PhD (Economics)

Keywords: China, yuan internationalisation

The article outlines potential scenarios and strategies of yuan internationalisation. The article objectively estimates the prospects of the yuan internationalisation in short term, mid-term and long term. Here the author compares and contrasts the views of Chinese and American economists as to the real value of the yuan. The author also assesses to what extent the yuan underestimation prevents its internationalisation. Moreover, costs and benefits of the yuan internationalisation are considered as well as their impact on the country’s economy. Hypothesis is then expressed in relation to the yuan inclusion into the SDR currency basket. Finally, the article concludes with analysing the specifics of Chinese government’s foreign exchange rate policy in the pre- and post-crisis period.

AFGHANISTAN: THE PROBLEM OF THE JOINT USE OF THE WATERS OF TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS by U.V.Okimbekov, PhD (Economics)

Keywords: Central Asia, transboundary rivers, Afghanistan

The issue of sharing waters of transboundary rivers, in particular, Panj and Amu Darya by the countries of Central Asia, is one of the most discussed among the experts of the region. Afghanistan, the rightful claimant on the part of waters those rivers have not joined yet in this discussion. The issues of shared water Afghanistan should discuss with its southern neighbors - Iran and Pakistan.

SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING: ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROBLEMS by P.M.Mozias, PhD (Economics)

Keywords: ANC, economic growth, treasury bonds, natural resources, social reforms, global financial crisis

This article deals with the issues of economic growth in South Africa during the post-apartheid period. Drivers of economic dynamics are analyzed, including institutional and financial reforms which have been carried out by the ANC’s government. Domestic and external reasons for the slowdown of economic development at the turn of decades are also discussed in detail.

IS THERE INTELLECTUAL LIFE IN CHINESE PROVINCIAL UNIVERSITIES? by I.V.Smerdov, PhD and A.V.Goncharuk

Keywords: China, provincial universities, intellectual life, foreign teachers and students in China

Since ordinary Chinese are busy with persistent struggle for survival in the «New China», so to discover the intellectual life at the grassroots level is a difficult task. The authors rely on their personnel experience which they have had during 10 years of working and studying in provincial universities of China in the 2000s.

Foreign teachers and students mostly discuss “inefficiency of Chinese way of life” and reminiscence about their homeland. With Chinese they speak about cuisine, sports and leasure/ political subjects aren’t recommended.

SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONAL INTEGRA- TION: BEST AND EFFECTIVE THROUGH SACU OR SADC? by Sehlare Makgetlaneng, PhD, Africa Institute of South Africa

Keywords: Southern Africa, SACU, SADC

PAKISTAN. THE RADICALIZATION OF “FOLK” ISLAM by O.P.Chekrizova

Keywords: Pakistan, radicalism in Islam, Sufism, Barelvi, Deobandi

As it is known, in the contemporary Muslim world there is the sharp confrontation between the major currents - a Sunni majority and Shia minority.

At the same time in some countries, particularly in Pakistan, relations between the leading socio-political movements of Sunni - Barelvi and Deobandi continue to deteriorate.

«WITH LOVE TO RUSSIA AND TO THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE» by K.V.Meshcherina

Keywords: Abu Bakr Youssef Hussein, Russian literature, Arabic literature

In the interview to our magazine Egyptian translator Abu Bakr Youssef Hussein remembers his years of study in the USSR and the years of his work in Soviet publishing houses

«Progress» and «Rainbow». He also speaks of the problems with translation of modern Russian literature into foreign languages and «reciprocal process» - the translation and publication in Russia of the best works of Egyptian and Arab writers.

LITERATURE OF THE INDIAN DIASPORA by I.Yu.Kotin, Dr.Sc. (History) (St.Petersburg)

Keywords: literature of Indian Diaspora, the UK, India

The purpose of this article is to provide the answer to the question as to whether South Africa’s contribution to Southern African regional integration is best and effective through Southern African Customs Union (SACU) or Southern African Development Community (SADC). It is a response to the position that the best and effective way for South Africa to contribute towards regional integration is through SACU, not SADC and that SACU is bound to absorb other SADC countries and even Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries as its members. It concludes that the best and effective way for South Africa to contribute towards Southern African regional integration is through SADC, not SACU. Its contribution towards African continental integration is also through SADC, not SACU.

RUSSIAN BUSINESS IN INDIA: ACHIVEMENTS AND PROBLEMS by A.D.Bondarenko

Keywords: Russia, India, bilateral relations, «Technopromexport», «Silovye Maschiny», «KAMAZ», JSFC «Sistema»

The article describes current stage of the Russian-Indian trade-economic cooperation. The author analyses the problems which Russian companies are confronted with while working in the Indian market. He examines difficulties JSC “Techpromexport” and “Silovye Maschiny” collides with. The situation with the largest private Russian investor JSFC “Sistema” is investigated too. Special emphasis is laid on several current problems which deteriorate investment climate of India.

Since ancient times while finding themselves outside of India in search of a better life, the Indians created songs, other works of oral genre, reflecting sad experience of the hard physical labour abroard. However,   these numerous songs, tales and other pieces of «oral history» are yet to find and collect.

More specifically one can speak about the literature of the Indian Diaspora in connection with the distribution of the medieval epic poem «Sri Rumcharitmanasa».

INDONESIA. SEA IMAGE IN POETRY OF ISBEDI STIAVAN by Yu.I.Noskov

Keywords: Indonesia, Isbedi Stiavan, poetry

The magazine publishes poetry of Indonesian poet Isbedi Stiavan translated by Yu.Noskov. The birthplace of the poet - a port city and the sea - the background of his creative life. The love of the water element Stiavan sings, using the «marine» allegory. The article includes some of his poems.

THE IMAGE OF THE MOUNTAINS IN THE LITERATURE OF THE MAGHREB COUNTRIES by E.A.Riauzova, Dr.Sc. (Philology)

In her new book «The World of Mountains» Svetlana Prozhogina describes the world of mountains as it is depicted in the literature of the Maghreb countries. The mountains are characterized not only as a symbol for preservation of the «honor of the tribe», but also as a stronghold of life itself.

 Summary