The article analyzes the nature and content of the infl uence of the Islamic factor on international political processes. The article reveals the reasons for the transformation of the Islamic world at the turn of the second and third decades of the XXI century in one of the most important actors of world politics. The basic tendencies of development of world political processes with participation of Islamic States, organizations and movements are defined.

The article considers the participation of external forces in the Syrian confl ict. Particular attention is paid to attempts by foreign states and non-state actors to overthrow the Assad government and bring to power in this country an armed opposition or Islamist groups such as the ''Muslim Brotherhood''. It is noted that Syria is becoming the epicenter of the Sunni-Shiite confrontation in the region.

Тhe article is devoted to the analysis of Azerbaijan-Turkish relations and regional policy of Turkey. In the article have been analyzed historical relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. Special place is given «pitfalls» in relationships between fraternal countries and their results. General conclusions were made in regard to the perspectives of bilateral relations in the regional policy.

In the context of deep and uprising crisis phenomena internal issues seemed to be the fi rst and foremost question to solve for European politicians. However, in early 2018 the EU announces new enlargement wave fi rst time towards six countries from the Western Balkans. This article presents author’s attempt to answer the following research question: Why is the EU drastically shifting towards the Balkan countries and which possible impact will it have on the EU development process in short-term perspective?

The article examines the foreign experience of language training of specialists in the diplomatic service. The peculiarities of the formation of the speech competence of these specialists in the United States are analyzed. The psychological component in the development of diplomats' speech is revealed, the infl uence of the psychological characteristics of the individual on the formation of speech skills and abilities.

The government of China has promoted a positive image of its leaders as a cohesive part of the Chinese public diplomacy since 2013. The paper examines a personal diplomacy of Xi Jinping and its such methods of the public diplomacy of the leader as fan diplomacy, public statements and interviews, and the publication of his articles in foreign mass-media. The authors conclude that the constructed image of Xi Jinping contributes to the promoting of the strategy of China aimed at convincing the world community in the peaceful rising of China and its universal character of values.

The article describes possible military and political consequences in the event of the US withdrawing from the treaty on the elimination of medium- and shorter-range missiles from 1987. After a brief introduction, the author proceeds to an analysis of the possible consequences of this exit, and, therefore, suggests a possible option for the Russian Federation in a new military and political situation.

The rapid changes in modern society pose new challenges to States and their governments. Along with the expanding digital services market, the degree of infl uence on the minds of the younger generation is increasing. As a result, the advantages of new technologies, if used incorrectly, can be a threat to the stability and even the integrity of the country. Under this condition, adequate measures to control and correct the incoming information to the user can act as guarantors of stable and progressive development of the state. This article shows how new technologies came to the service of state interests.

The research object of this article is the use of international counter terrorism military force in the context of international law. International terrorism is seen as the main threat to order and stability in the modern world. In this regard, the urgency of the problem of states counteraction to this threat, as well as the possibility of using military force for ensuring international security and national sovereignty in particular is noted. The article uses the method of a scientifi c research with a special emphasis on the study of the legal framework of international acts, especially considering basic principles and documents of the United Nations. Also, the event analysis method is used to form a complete understanding of the relevance of the problem in accordance with the context of present days.

The author analyses in this article the width of the defi nition of ''humanitarian activity'' in Russian and foreign practices. The historical roots of the given concept are examined. The specifi city of the UN humanitarian aid is covered. The assessment of the contemporary system of coordination of the humanitarian eff orts of the world community is given.

The article shows the main milestones from the life of the famous Soviet politician and diplomat N. D. Yegorychev. The author gives his assessment of the hero's activities in responsible public positions on the basis of books published about N. D. Yegorychev and his personal memories.