CURRENT STATE OF PAKISTAN’S ECONOMY

The article analyzes the situation in Pakistan’s economy under the new government of the country, formed after the parliamentary elections in July 2018. It is observed that in 2018–2020 the rates of economic growth have slowed considerably. The government has faced problems of acute fiscal and current account deficits and was forced to agree to large doses of foreign financial assistance. The economic situation by the beginning of 2020 has somewhat improved, but the dependence of the economy on external factors remains, causing risks which do not allow to argue that the crisis and stagnation would be overcome in the nearest future.

ROUTS OF AFGAN’S DRUG TRAFFIC (END OF XX CENTURY – BEGINNING OF XXI CENTURY)

The article focuses on features of afghan drug traffic routs. Author also highlights influence of economic and geographical position of Afghanistan on forming of drug trafficking routs. The role of border guard service in drug traffic is also analyzed in the article. The article cites not only main drug traffic routs, but also it cites the process of forming and evolution. Special attention is also paid to trafficking drugs with the Internet.

SHANGHAI PORT: FACTORS OF DEVELOPMENT

For a decade, the Shanghai port has retained the world’s leading positions not only in terms of economic indicators, but also in terms of equipping the port facilities with the latest achievements of science and technology. Due to its advantageous geographical position since ancient times, it has been an important port for external transport and internal trade of China. Shanghai was historically destined to become the world’s largest transshipment base. But natural factors bear fruit only in the presence of a competent and planned economic policy. The economic success of the port in recent years has been preparing for many decades. Anthropogenic factors, namely the reform and restructuring of the economic system, attracting foreign capital, advanced foreign technologies and management methods, accelerated the development of the port. Technological progress, globalization and political will have made the port the world’s largest industrial port complex. This article is devoted to the analysis of modern achievements and the prospects for the further development of the port of Shanghai.

ISRAELI EXPERTS ABOUT ISRAELI-TURKISH RELATIONS OF OUR TIME

Throughout the seventy-year history of bilateral relations, which are especially sensitive to events in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Turkey and Israel have repeatedly been on the verge of their complete breach. A serious deterioration occurred after the incident with the Turkish «Gaza Freedom Flotilla» in May 2010. The author examines how the Israeli expert community assesses aspects of the relationship between the Israeli government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as his policy on a number of issues on the Israeli and regional agenda.

PROSPECTS OF RUSSIA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION

This article examines prospects ofthe Russia-Pakistan economic cooperation, current intensification of which is determined by the general regionalization trend of integration processes on the vast Eurasian continent, where ongoing bilateral Russia-Pakistan joint projectsin the long term perspective will transform into an integral part of the emerging unified infrastructure system of Eurasia.

CIVILISATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PARTIES IN THE PROCESS OF THE ORGANIZING AND CONDUCTING THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN JAPAN

The article considers the topical issue of the civilizational aspects of the interaction between parties in the process of the organizing and conducting the Olympic Games in Japan. This paper makes an attempt to consider these aspects from the perspective of two main concepts of civilization, while highlighting general civilizational trends and trends within the framework of local civilizations. The issue of deepening inter-civilization communication and understanding is analyzed. In addition, the place and potential impact of sport in resolving interstate political conflicts is considered. Specific examples of the influence of civilizational aspects on the global community within the framework of the Olympics are given. The topic of this article can be located at the interface of sociology and economics, therefore this paper may be relevant to researchers of various related scientific fields.

LOYA JIRGA IN THE SYSTEM OF POLITICAL INSTITUTE OF MODERN AFGHANISTAN

The article is devoted to the analysis of Loya Jirga’s role and place in the political system of modern Afghanistan. General information about Jirgas in Afghanistan is provided because this institution replicates similar traditional tribal bodies on the national level. The author describes four possible types of Jirga in terms of participants and territorial coverage. Special attention is given to the analysis of constitutional rules which determine the powers of the Loya Jirga and its status in the political system of post-Taliban Afghanistan. Moreover, the author provides a brief characteristic of all the Loya Jirgas which have been organized since the overthrow of the Taliban regime. The article shows that in modern Afghanistan none of the convened Loya Jirgas have complied with the relevant constitutional rules. According to the Constitution of Afghanistan, the Loya Jirga must include “presidents of the provincial as well as district assemblies”. But this provision cannot be respected due to some difficulties in the conduct of elections in provinces and districts. That is why four Loya Jirgas, convened after the adoption of the Constitution in 2004, were called “consultative” or “traditional”. The issue of Loya Jirga’s legitimacy is also remaining relevant now. Apparently, Loya Jirga’s status in the political system of Afghanistan will remain the same in the short term. In conclusion, the author proposes two options for modern Afghanistan, when the Loya Jirga may be convened. The first one touches upon the issue of adoption of a hypothetical peace agreement with the Taliban and the second variant implies the convening of the Pashtun tribes jirga in the region of AfghanPakistani border to discuss vital issues.

ЭНЕРГЕТИЧЕСКИЙ ПЕРЕХОД И ГЕОПОЛИТИКА

Переход мировой энергетики на возобновляемые источники энергии меняет геополитическое значение как стран-экспортеров ископаемого топлива, так и государств- импортеров. Перекраивается энергетическая карта мира, меняется география и структура поставок энергии. Коренным образом меняется и сущность энергетической безопасности.

ICT AND ITS USE IN THE TAX ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES

The article shows the level of ICT development in the Southeast Asian countries, the measures of the governments of these countries for introducing of ICT into tax administration and implementation of ICT for tax payments. According to the author, the panorama of the use of electronic means for tax payments is ambiguous and is determined by a number of economic and social factors. Three groups of countries were accurately designated. The first group consists of technologically developed countries of the region where modern means of tax payments very actively used. The second group consists of less technologically developed countries, where scope of ICT is incomparably narrow. The third group of countries consists of the least developed countries where the tax administration just begins to use ICT.

GLOBAL ENERGY SECURITY

This article analyzes the problem of energy security as a factor of global sustainable development. The energy sector faces new challenges, as well as expanding opportunities for both developed and developing countries. The global nature of energy security increasingly requires the formation of an international energy strategy that allows us to look into the common energy future, and the further development of a broad dialogue on energy issues between various countries and relevant international organizations. The relevance of this article is of interest to the entire energy community. The problem and the main components of energy security are in the field of view of summits, attract the attention of various international forums, and its solution is interlinked with sustainable development, climate change and the environment.