The article is devoted to identification of the dominant models of Russia's image, reproduced in the political discourse of Poland in 2017. The author analyses the public statements of the Polish politicians about Russia (in the media, in official speeches and diplomatic meetings). The article outlines the key stereotypes, constructing the image of Russia in Polish political discourse: ''Russia is a military aggressor, Russia — the threat Empire'', ''Russia is using energy blackmail'', ''Russia is a dictatorial state''.

Based on the analysis of a wide range of scientific literature, the authors attempted to determine the main factors affecting geopolitical processes in the Caspian region. Based on the methods of comparative analysis and forecast, prospects and tendencies of further interaction of the Caspian states are considered. The main factors that destabilize the cooperation and national security of the Caspian states are shown. The significance of determining the consolidating idea of the region and justifying of the coordinating role of the Russian center is determined. An assessment of the potential of the Russian Federation, which over time under certain conditions may become one of the fundamental factors in the world geopolitical processes, including in defending its national interests in the region.

The reasons of system crisis of the UN are established and it is convincingly proved that a basis of overcoming crisis — reform of the Organization. The author analyzes conceptual bases of reform and compares the options offered by Russia and the USA. Reform of the UN is possible only on the basis of a mutual compromise and is inconceivable without Russia as key participant of the international relations.

In 2013 the top officials of China unified under a single strategy all Chinese infrastructure projects and proposals that had been implemented within Asia Pacific and beyond. Named «One belt, one road», this concept is supposed to bring land and maritime itineraries under the common grounds, thus facilitating economic integration of China with Asian and European markets. OBOB’s infrastructure projects overlap with others that already exist and are being implemented under the auspices of global and regional institutions. Non-transparency of its financing structure and hierarchy, lack of information about OBOB as a single entity impede the research, making impossible to properly assess its impact in regional and global scales. The article makes an attempt to summarize basic projects and directions of cooperation within OBOB, as well as the institutions involved.

Abstract: ''One Belt One Road'' Initiative is perceived as key to boosting comprehensive partnership between China, the world’s largest developing country and over 60 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The article highlights the main directions of cooperation between China and other countries within the ''One Belt One Road'' framework. In the authors opinion, it includes policy coordination, financial integration, unimpeded trade, facilities connection and people-to-people bonds. In particular, the article highlights the importance of the project to China and countries involved. The authors of the article affirm that such cooperation plays an indispensable role in collaboration between states and represents a new model of multilateral relations.

The authors analyze the place and function of sport in the system of international relations, its influence on the state of the environment of international relations, problems of politicization of sport, as well as the importance of sport as a diplomatic tool.

The author reveals the requirements, contents and organizational forms of masters training in the Diplomatic Academy of the MFA of Russia for the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The author relies on the provisions of the new Federal state educational standard of higher education (GEF) for the preparation of masters in international relations and generalizes his own practical experience.

The article analyzes specific mechanisms, goals and results of export of Wahhabism ideology as one of the most important means of Saudi Arabia's foreign policy in the Muslim world.

Within the frames of understanding the experience of Russia’s diplomacy, the article analyzes the peculiarities of the conceptual foundations of Russia’s foreign policy strategy on the initial state of its formation. The more time passes since the development and approval of the first doctrinal model of Russia’s foreign policy in 1993, the more obvious, also in the light of the contemporary developments, became the illusions, misconceptions and mistakes that were reflected in it, and their overcoming is distinctly traced in the further versions of the Concept of Russia’s foreign policy.

The article reviews the main forms of the modern activities carried out by some Political Powers in the world diplomacy. Although there is agreement in modern legal doctrine that the Executive Power of the countries is responsible for administering the foreign policy objectives of the State, in recent years the independence of the Legislative and Judiciary power of some countries has grown in such a way that now they actively participate in the world political scene, even with a political message different from the official foreign policy of their own country. In these cases, for example, the Legislative and Judiciary powers make their own diplomatic structures in parallel form to the Executive Power and send representatives to other countries to try to influence foreign policy; negotiate contracts with other foreign political authorities; or participate in international political forums where they sign treaties with repercussions in Public International Law. In addition, such behaviors have made possible that the Executive Power of a country has had to face their Political Powers to control the foreign policy of the State, to avoid sending an unambiguous message that damages the political image of government. This article also examines some national conflicts and crises that have been caused by these political tendencies, which are known as: Parliamentary Diplomacy, Judicial Diplomacy and Electoral Diplomacy. These political tendencies have gained great interest in the academic communities linked to international relations not only because they are novel strategies that can help peace, but also they are unpredictable and potentially can damage the friendship between States.

By the end of the 20th century, mass communication media had acquired immense importance in the processes of creating various social ''models'', as well as in the processes of orienting and reorienting public opinion and consciousness.

The article describes the main landmarks of A. S. Kaplin`s biography: work in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Norway, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR. His role in work with official Government and with left-wing parties in these and other countries is shown.