"Asia and Africa today"
- is a scientificl monthly journal (in Russian)
of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Included in Russian Science Citation Index on
WoS platform, and EBSCO Publishing.
ISSN 0321-5075. Published since July 1957.

 

 "Asia and Africa today" № 7 2017

 

 

AziaAfrika 07 2017

 

 Top Problem

SYRIAN TRAGEDY. THE BIRTH OF MONSTERS: ATTEMPTS TO ORGANIZE THE PROCESS OF POLITICAL SETTLEMENT by Alexey M. VASILIEV, member, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS); Honorary President, Institute for African Studies (RAS); Chair, African and Arab Studies, People’s Friendship University of Russia (PFUR); Editor-in-Chief, «Asia and Africa today» journal ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The final part of this article deals with the civil war in Syria and attempts by Russia to organize a process of political settlement. The results of the Geneva-I and Geneva-II meetings, the struggle in the Security Council and other UN bodies on the Syrian issue are assessed. The problem of Syria’s refusal of chemical weapons, the reasons for this step and the position of Russia are considered. The role of the media in the Syrian conflict, the demonization of B. Assad, the cancerous tumor of religious extremism are analyzed.
Keywords: Syria, attempts by Russia to organize political settlement, demonization of B.Assad

 

 Policy, Economy

INDIA’S 2016 BRICS PRESIDENCY by Elizaveta A. SAFONKINA, Researcher, Center for International Institutions Research (CIIR), Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
In the article the author attempted to analyze the 2016 India`s BRICS presidency and assess its effectiveness on a basis of supply - demand model”. The author assumes that a presidency could be characterized as effective when a hosting country could reflect in agenda and summit`s decisions key global governance issues in the meantime ensuring a balance of internal (domestic
priorities) and external (BRICS partner countries priorities) demand as well as taking full advantage of the BRICS potential. The results of the study make it possible to conclude that India was able to make its presidency in BRICS enough fruitful. India integrated its domestic priorities in the agenda and promoted adoption on a consensus basis the institutional decisions in these areas.
Keywords: BRICS, global governance, India, national priorities, health, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

 

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTIVE OF URBANIZATION IN CHINA by Ilya G. CHUBAROV, PhD (Geography), Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Institute of Geography, RAS ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Massive urbanization is the most visible manifestation of the Chinese economic miracle. However the traditional competitiveness factors are close to their limits. Chinese government has relied on urbanization as the motor of a new model of economic growth, which to be based on rising purchasing power on the local market. To maintain the same level of the migrants flow from rural to urban areas the government has gone as far as almost completely abolish many of the restrictions of registration system. Notably, the division between urban and rural residence has gone, giving free access to social services to millions of migrants via residence permit mechanism. Government eased and unified criteria for getting registered at new place of residence.
Keywords: urbanization, China, reforms, inequality, cities

 

SOMALI IN SOUTH AFRICA: PROBLEMS OF ADAPTATION by Lyubov V. IVANOVA, PhD (History). Senior Research Fellow, Center of African Studies, Institute of World History, RAS ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The image of Somali as a failed state of anarchy and numerous failed attempts to stabilize situation in the country is in contrast with successful stories of Somali businessmen from Somali Diaspora, who manage to keep their national identity and take an active part in economical and political life in their homeland. Somali businessmen are known for their strong motivation, hard-working and strong family and clan support. Somali immigrants face different problems in South Africa - in the sphere of business relations, cultural adaptation and communication with locals.
Somali immigrants have become the most numerous ethnic group in Johannesburg and in Cape Town. They have put some new problems for local authorities and aggravated some local conflicts. Xenophobia or so-called afrophobia partly is a result of economic competition and inability of local authorities to protect the rights and interests of local entrepreneurs.
Keywords: Somali diaspora, history of Somali, cultural adaptation, South Africa, xenophobia


PROBLEM OF WATER RESOURCES

WATER AND ENERGY IN THE COUNTRIES OF ARABIAN PENINSULA by Ekaterina A. BORISOVA, PhD (History), Research Fellow, Institute for Oriental Studies, RAS ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
This article studies the methods used to overcome the water shortage in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Current water consumption is much higher than the level of the natural replenishment of water resources in the region. The main, but not the only, method of dealing with water scarcity is desalination. Such situation forces the regional countries to boost development of renewable energy and nuclear energy.
Keywords: Arabian Peninsula, water scarcity, hydrocarbons, desalination, renewable energy, nuclear energy, wastewater treatment

 

ILLEGAL MIGRATION FROM AFRICA: THREATS AND CHALLENGES FOR EUROPE by Dmitry V. ALEKSEEV, Post-graduate student, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The irregular migration from Africa to Europe affects on the economy, politics, social and cultural spheres. Among the causes of the growth of migration flows outlined the impact of «Arab Spring». Provided data reflect the ambiguous attitude of the people in the recipient countries towards the migrants, migration and migration policy of EU. Registered an increase in xenophobic and racist attitudes associated with the growth in crime, terrorism and a security threats. There is a need to reconcile the interests of the recipient countries of EU to ensure national and personal security and the rights of migrants to asylum.
Keywords: illegal migration, Africa, Europe, security threat, terrorism, violation of human rights

 

 Russia and The East

RUSSIAN-JAPANESE INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS IN THE POST-SOVIET PERIOD by Victor V. KUZMINKOV, PhD (Political Science), Assistant Professor, School of Asian Studies, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russia ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The article discusses the dialogue between the cultures of Russia and Japan in the post-Soviet period. Despite the complex relations at the state level, characterized by mutual distrust of parties, as well as significant differences in interpersonal relations between Russians and Japanese, a cultural dialogue continues between Russia and Japan, based on mutual interest of the peoples in each other`s culture. A special place in the article is the question of mutual images in public consciousness of Russia and Japan. In order to further develop intercultural dialogue and improve the image of Russia in Japan, the author notes the need to search for new of cultural exchange.
Keywords: Russia, Japan, dialogue of cultures, mutual representation, intercultural relations, interpersonal communication, soft power, public opinion

 

 From Our Staff Correspondent

MUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, NEW CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION by Vladimir P. NEMCHENKO, our Staff correspondent in Ethiopia ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
On 30 January 2017 the 28th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa elected Mussa Faki Mahamat, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chad, as the Chairman of the African Union Commission for 4 years. His election as the AU chief executive indicates a reorientation of the Panafrican Organization’ policy towards issues of peace, security and counterterrorism on the continent.
Keywords: Africa, African Union Commission, Mussa Faki Mahamat, Ncosazana Dlamini Zuma, conflicts in Africa

 

 Foreign Expert Opinion

TURKEY’S POLICY IN AFGHANISTAN by Akram A. UMAROV, Senior Research Fellow, University of World Economy and Diplomacy. Tashkent, Uzbekistan ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The article gives a brief overview of Turkey’s contemporary policy and priority interests in Afghanistan since the beginning of military operation of the International Security Assistance Force in 2001. The participation of Turkish troops in the improvement of the security situation in Afghanistan is studied. The activities of the Republic of Turkey on the socio-economic recovery and stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan after the removal of «Taliban» movement regime in October 2001 are examined. The factors that have a major impact on the formation of the Turkish foreign policy in relation to the Afghan conflict are further analyzed. It is noted that one of the main aspects that affect the Turkish position in the Afghan conflict remains active promotion of Turkey’s own interests in Central Asia and Africa. The prospects for the development of Ankara’s foreign policy strategy in resolving the situation in Afghanistan are estimated.
Keywords: Turkey, Afghanistan, ISAF, Taliban, Central Asia

 

 Scientific Life

RUSSIA - SOUTH AFRICA: 25 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS by Yury S. SKUBKO, PhD (Economics, Art), Senior Research Fellow, Institute for African Studies, RAS ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ); Irina R. YUTYAEVA, Magister student, Moscow State Institute of International Relations ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The Centre for Southern African Studies of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences held a roundtable “25-th anniversary of Russia - South Africa diplomatic relations”. The participants of the roundtable included eminent Russian-African studies scholars, diplomats from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from the South African
Embassy in Moscow, other African diplomatic missions, members of NGO. Among items scussed were the history of Russian ties with South Africa, the role of USSR in supporting the anti-apartheid struggle, the achievements, problems and prospects of modern Russian - South African bilateral relations and cooperation within international organizations.
Keywords: Republic of South Africa, Russian Federation, diplomatic relations, strategic partnership

 

 Post-Graduate Column

CHARECTIRISTICS OF THE SYSTEM OF INNOVATION IN SOUTH KOREA by Elizaveta I. LEVITSKAYA, Post-graduate student, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State University ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The article observes the system of innovations in South Korea and compares it with its main competitors - China and Japan, as well as with the OECD countries. Government and business spending on the innovations are analyzed, both in terms of structure and dynamics. The priority spheres are outlined. The article also contains the analysis of the human capital, which is regarded as the main driver of the innovation development. The author offers her conclusions on the efficiency and performance of the system of innovation in South Korea and its position on the global arena, including integration in the international system of innovations, participation in the trade of technologies and patents.
Keywords: economy of South Korea, innovations, economic development, competitiveness

 

 Culture, Literature, Art

THE INTERPRETATION OF HISTORY. “THE MAGNIFICENT” CENTURY IN ISKANDER PALA’S NOVEL “THE LEGEND. THE NOVEL OF BARBAROSS” (2013) by Maria M. REPENKOVA, Dr.Sc. (Philology), Institute for Asia and Africa, Moscow State University ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The article, based upon the example of the novel “Legend. Novel of Barbarossa” (2013) written by Iskander Pala (born in 1958) being one of the most popular authors of Turkish mass literature of 2000-th, who has investigated typological particularities of the national historical and adventurous genre. It has been proved that plot-composition and image-bearing structure in the novels of such kind rest on one-sided, unhistorical concept of the reality having the aim to prove Turks superiority against other peoples and to restore their bygone leadership in the Moslem world. Cliche topics and plot courses have been evaluated to demonstrate all the “century magnificence” of the Osman state in the XVI century. Special attention was drawn to studying narrative strategies which I. Pala keeps to create mythologized characters of the “magnificent century”, namely Khyzyr Khaireddin Barbarossa the talented naval commander and Mediterranean corsair (1475-1546).
Keywords: mass literature, Turkish historical and adventurous novel, clichй topics and images, Iskander Pala, “magnificent”century of the Osman history, Khyzyr Khaireddin Barbaross

 

THE CULTURE OF MODERN IRAN: NATIONAL TRADITIONS AND WESTERNIZATION by Marina S. KAMENEVA, PhD (Philology), Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
The article is devoted to the role of Iranian national and western values in the development of Iranian culture before and after Islamic revolution of 1979 in Iran. The author focuses on the attitude of Iranian establishment and Iranian society, particularly intellectuals, to the process of westernization. It is noted that the sphere of Iranian culture is getting more and more politicized and has already become an area of confrontation of the conservatives and reformists.
Keywords: Iran, Iranian culture, westernization, tradition, Persian language

 

 Book Review

PALESTINE «IN THE WAY»
Review of the book: Korochkina V.A. The state in the way. Palestinian institutional building or political scam (St.Petersbourg, 2016, 286 p.) (In Russ.) by Nikolai I. PETROV, Independent observer ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Keywords: Palestine, Israel, the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation

ANTHOLOGY OF MODERN POETRY
Review of the book: Pogadaev V.A. «In search of a dream» (M., 2016, 96 p.) (In Russ.) by Elena V. SAFONOVA, editor, «Asia and Africa today» ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
Keywords: Indonesia, modern Indonesian poetry, translation of poem, Anthology