Vol 8, No 5 (2025)

this article analyzes the historical lessons that are relevant in light of the military and political conflicts developing in the modern Middle East, arising from the controversial biography of Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia (1888-1935) – a famous British intelligence officer and leader of the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918, who played an important role in the victory of the British army over the forces of the Ottoman Empire and changed the geopolitics and map of the Middle East. As such relevant lessons, the authors highlight the features of Lawrence's personality as an example of the enduring significance of a great personality in the history of military conflicts, his activities as a historical precursor to the usual strategy of asymmetric war and proxy war at the beginning of the 21st century. The authors also focus on the problem of commemorating military exploits – through an assessment of the historical significance of the famous works of Thomas Edward Lawrence – “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom” and “Revolt in the Wilderness”, as well as the historical consecration of his personality in the works of his famous contemporaries and in 20th century cinema. The contradictory and tragic fate of Lawrence allows the authors of the article to reasonably attribute this famous historical figure to the “lost generation” generated by the First World War and vividly reflected in world literature.

the article considers basic stages of social and cultural development of Daghestan in the second half of the last century, as well as cites certain facts and statistics concerning the state of affairs based on true documents and archives. The process of joining of Daghestan to Russia led to great changes in social life of its peoples, as well as to creation of new conditions for their social development. First and foremost, there were the terms of peaceful coexistence which provided the growth of economic and ideological development. The goal of the article is to throw light at the course of social and cultural development, taken by the leadership of Daghestan, its main stages and circumstantial events, as well as general political situation in the republic. The article also contains the quotations of famous Daghestani in the fields of science, culture and art concerning the necessity of further development of literacy and newly-written languages of the peoples of Daghestan, as well as concerning the reaching of high level of social and cultural development in the Daghestani society within the frame of cooperation with many neighboring territories. The article can be of some interest for students and postgraduates studying the history of Daghestan of the second half of the XX century, as well as for wide audience interested in the history of Daghestan on the modern level of its development.

the great liberal reforms of the era of Emperor Alexander II undoubtedly contributed to significant shifts in the socio-political sphere of society, affected the economic situation in the Russian Empire as a whole and in its regions, in particular, which in turn influenced criminal processes. The peasant reform contributed to the liberation of a significant number of former serfs, secured personal civil non-property and property rights for peasants, but at the same time led to some restrictions on state and public control over the most numerous estate in the country. In addition, the rather rapid industrial growth, which took place in parallel with the process of the collapse of the peasant community, pushed former serfs to move from the peasant environment to the cities. These trends largely determined criminogenic processes in the early 20th century both in the territory of Kaluga Province and in Russia as a whole. In the presented article, the purpose of the study is to analyze the activities of their judicial structures in Kaluga province on the basis of statistical materials. The objectives of the study include determining the nature of crime, studying the types of crimes committed, the number of convicts, and evaluating the effectiveness of provincial judicial structures during the period under study. The authors conclude that there is a tendency in the activities of the judicial authorities of Kaluga province to increase the volume of criminal cases under consideration, based on statistics of the total number of crimes committed and the participation of representatives of certain classes in them, primarily the peasantry.

the great keepers of human memory, our older generation– have preserved for posterity the richest examples of oral folk art, as well as memories of the real-life events of their fathers and grandfathers, who provided valuable and sometimes the only historical and cultural information about the socio-economic life of the people and its neighbors in the distant past, about the genetic roots of those or other customs, orders and traditions, the worldview of the people at different stages of its history, interethnic contacts and relationships. In the late 18th and first half of the 19th centuries, the Karachays and Balkarians lived through the most difficult period of their history. It was at this time that they finally lost their independence, their territory and numbers were catastrophically reduced, and all branches of the economy were destroyed. Social life is falling into disrepair. However, the problem of the crisis of social life has not become the subject of special study, and for this reason, the final phase of the social and cultural history of Karachay and Balkaria remains largely unexplored. The author of this article examines the problem of blood feud between Karachays and Balkarians, while correctly noting that this was their traditional social institution. It is rightly noted that blood feud was an institution of feudal society. The paper examines the causes of blood feud, the peculiarities of its existence in the mountain society at various historical stages. The research is based on numerous historical sources and literature. The analysis of these sources allowed us to obtain the most objective understanding of this problem. The work is of considerable interest to those who study the public institutions of Karachays and Balkarians.

the article is devoted to the topic of regional peculiarities of pharmacy organization in the USSR during the Great Patriotic War using the example of the Smolensk region. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the specifics of the organization of pharmaceutical supplies to the rear of the Smolensk region and some regions of the RSFSR and the BSSR during the Great Patriotic War. The novelty of the study is determined by the extreme narrowness of the range of available regional studies, the presence of factual differences in them caused only partly by regional specifics. Of course, the relevance is reinforced by the conduct of military operations and the presence of a threat to the security of the Russian Federation, which, despite the significant difference in the nature of warfare and the level of development of the pharmaceutical industry and logistics, invariably draws the attention of researchers and practitioners to the heroic experience of their predecessors The paper substantiates the provisions that the Smolensk region at the beginning of the war had a fairly high availability of pharmacy facilities. As a border region, it was subjected to severe destruction. The border location and great strategic importance determined the location of evacuation hospitals here. The acute shortage of medicines was compensated by the centralized redistribution of drugs available in warehouses and the introduction of innovative methods of using existing drugs, as well as the development of galena production. A comparative analysis of the drug supply situations in the Smolensk region, the Orenburg region, Belarus, Siberia and Kabardino-Balkaria is given. When comparing the data from different territories, it is obvious that the Smolensk region had a particularly rich, already researched base for galena production. However, the border situation dictated the role of a supplier of raw materials, but not a manufacturer of galenic preparations.

the article is devoted to the issue of disenfranchisement during the NEP years. The relevance of the research topic is due to the interest in the history of everyday life and social survival practices. The historiography of the issue and the opinions of scientific authors on the essence of the process of disenfranchisement are given. The purpose of the work is to reveal the main causes and consequences of the institution of disenfranchisement in post–revolutionary Russia. The objectives of the study are to analyze the regulatory legal acts on the research topic and provide specific examples of cases of the deprived based on the documents. The regulatory framework and legal regulation of the process of disenfranchisement are reviewed, including through the analysis of the following documents: the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1918, the instructions of the Central Executive Committee, circulars of the NKVD, and others. It describes the social, political and economic consequences of disenfranchisement. On the basis of archival data on the Penza Province, a number of cases are presented on applications from deprived persons to election commissions for the restoration of voting rights, the factual circumstances are described and the opinions of direct participants in the events are disclosed. The cases of disenfranchisement described in the article differ according to the grounds and results of consideration. The variability of the personal attitude of the deprived towards their legal and social status is shown.

this article examines the customs of the Karachays and Balkarians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and their connection with public institutions and labor activities. During the research of the topic, the authors used the works of foreign and domestic authors, which significantly enriched the work. The authors have traced the evolution of Karachay-Balkarian customs and social institutions during the historical period under review. The customs of hospitality, kunachestvo, atalychestvo, as well as other public institutions played a significant role in the life of the Karachays and Balkarians. Along with this, the article examines the role of labor and labor education in the lives of Karachays and Balkarians, shows the influence of customs and rituals on the formation of youth labor skills.

this article examines the geopolitical background of the "Amur issue" and the preventive occupation of Sakhalin by Russian expeditions in 1853-1855, paying special attention to the role of the indigenous Ainu people as a significant factor in the initial development of the island. The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of primary historical documents (diaries, notes of expedition participants, official correspondence) and secondary historiography on the history of the Russian Far East, Russian-Japanese relations and Ainu ethnography. It is revealed that Russia's activation in the region was due to strategic interests, the non-demarcation of territories and the threat from the Western powers in the context of the Crimean War. The expeditions of G.I. Nevelskoy proved the island position of Sakhalin and the navigability of the Amur River, which became the key to consolidating Russian positions. The Ainu, with their deep knowledge of local geography and resources, played an active role as informants, guides, and trading partners, contributing to logistics and the selection of locations for Russian posts. Their interactions with the Russians, often based on mutually beneficial exchanges and protection from Japanese exploitation, differed from the more rigid Japanese policies. The presence and interaction with the Ainu greatly facilitated and accelerated the process of Russian exploration of Sakhalin, providing the expeditions with the necessary information about the territory and resources, as well as creating conditions for the establishment of the initial Russian administration. Thus, the Ainu acted not as passive observers, but as active subjects of the historical process, whose influence on the course of events was underestimated in traditional historiography.

the article explores the problems of inheritance in the lineage of the Kaitag utsmies rulers and their relations with the Russian Empire and other feudal rulers of Dagestan. The reasons for the weakening of the Kaitag utsmies and the increased appanage fragmentation are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the relations of the Kaitag utsmies with the Russian Empire. Factual material makes it possible to determine the reasons and consequences of the policy of neutrality pursued by the utsmies Ali-khan and Adil-khan in the ongoing struggle between the feudal rulers of Dagestan and the Russian Empire. Neutral policy allowed the Kaitag utsmies to preserve its de facto independence from the Russian Empire. We also consider the process of interaction with those Dagestani rulers who fought against the empire. This displeased both Russia and the Dagestani rulers and increased their pressure on the utsmies.

urban studies with all its categorical framework, methodological and instrumental tools have relatively recently entered the arsenal of Orientalist research, although there are many works by outstanding Orientalists on cities in the Middle East. The infrastructural approach is particularly productive as it integrates various aspects of a city – both material and cultural. It allows historians to unify the city's material life, governance, law, technology, culture, and global interconnections into one conceptual framework. This article represents an attempt at interpreting the infrastructure of Abbasid capital, “The City of Peace,” the city from “One Thousand and One Nights” – Baghdad. These names accurately reflect the life of a city that can rightfully be called one of the cosmopolitans of the Middle Ages. The interpretative model proposed in this article will allow us to examine the structure of the city based on available data from social and historical topography as well as archaeological research materials. This includes taking into account various factors, even those which at first glance may seem insignificant: religious legal schools, administrative departments, philosophical movements.

the Qajars actively participated in the military-political history of Western Asia and Transcaucasia for several centuries. In this article, the authors attempt to create a military-political picture of Iran during the period of the Qajar dynasty's rise to the political arena. An excursion into its history in the second half of the 18th century is made. They characterize the political situation in Iran, highlight the main military and political steps of Aga Muhammеd-кhan, to strengthen his power of the Qajar dynasty in Iran. The authors believe that the political achievement of Aga Muhammеd-кhan, was the result of reliable and timely support from his allies. The article also pays much attention to the relationship between Aga Muhammеd-кhan, Qajar and the Transcaucasian rulers at the end of the 18th century. The chosen topic for research seems to the authors to be an extremely promising direction for further research, since the Don has only been partially touched upon in Russian Caucasian studies.

the article examines the importance of non-material factors of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, such as the role of culture, art and medicine. Particular attention is paid to the activities of front-line concert brigades, the contribution of poets, writers and artists to the formation of morale, as well as the influence of propaganda posters and songs on public consciousness. The successes of military medicine, which made it possible to save millions of lives and return to duty a significant part of the wounded, are analyzed. The importance of museum work in preserving the historical memory of the events of the war is emphasized. The material is based on modern research and archival sources, offering a comprehensive view of the cultural and humanitarian aspects of the life of Soviet society during the war.

this article is dedicated to the cultural dynamics of the Azerbaijani population in Tatarstan and analyzes the transformation of traditions, family practices, and identity in conditions of interethnic integration. The introduction outlines the relevance of the study, justifying the necessity to examine cultural changes in the modern multinational region where the Azerbaijani community faces challenges from globalization and local transformations. The aim of the work is to identify the features of adapting traditional norms and rituals to the new socio-cultural environment of Tatarstan. The methods section presents a comprehensive methodology, including a qualitative analysis of ethnographic data, the conduction of in-depth interviews with representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, and the analysis of socio-cultural artifacts. The use of mixed methods made it possible to collect representative data and perform a comparative analysis of traditional practices within the framework of interethnic interaction. Particular attention was given to studying family models, methods of transmitting cultural heritage, and the processes of identity formation. The results section demonstrates that the Azerbaijani population in Tatarstan preserves a number of traditional values; however, significant changes are observed in rituals, norms of family life, and public communications. The results indicate active strategies of adaptation and integration, which are manifested in the development of new forms of cultural self-expression and social flexibility. Processes of mutual cultural influence were identified, in which traditional elements are transformed under the impact of local Tatar traditions. In the discussion, the authors analyze the causes and consequences of the observed changes, emphasizing that interethnic integration contributes both to the strengthening of cultural identity and to the emergence of adaptive changes. The study shows that cultural dynamics is a complex process, involving both the preservation of traditions and their adaptation in response to new socio-cultural realities. The study's conclusions are aimed at developing the theoretical foundations of intercultural adaptation and can be applied in the design of programs to support multinational communities. Thus, the presented work makes a significant contribution to understanding the mechanisms of cultural transformations, offering new methods for analyzing adaptive processes in conditions of interethnic dialogue and integration.

this article examines the exhibition activities of the Soviet Cultural Fund (SCF) abroad, using the example of the exhibition “100 Years of Russian Art” held in Great Britain in 1989. It analyzes the role of the SCF in promoting Russian art on the international stage, the Fund’s cooperation with foreign non-profit organizations, and the role of the Collectors’ Club in preparing the exhibition. Based on the exhibition catalog, the composition of the exhibition is studied in detail. The exhibits selected for the exposition demonstrate the growing interest in the Russian avant-garde and the transformation of the USSR’s cultural policy during the period of perestroika.

the period 1953-1961 was marked by significant ideological changes initiated by Nikita Khrushchev’s de-Stalinization policy, which had a profound impact on relations between the Soviet Union and its satellites in Eastern Europe, including Romania. After Stalin’s death, Bucharest’s leadership sought to take advantage of the internal political struggle for power in the Kremlin, strengthening its positions and pursuing a policy based on national interests. A notable early success of this strategy was the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Romania in 1958. However, this achievement did not put an end to Soviet pressure. The article analyzes how the Romanian leadership dealt with these geopolitical challenges, trying to balance the need to maintain relations with Moscow with the desire to protect and promote national interests.

this article examines the problem of preserving and transforming the ethnocultural traditions of Azerbaijanis in Tatarstan in the modern era. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to understand how traditional norms influence the everyday life of the members of this national community and contribute to the maintenance of ethnic identity in the multicultural environment of modern Russia. In the introduction, the study’s objectives are formulated, namely to identify key traditional values, customs, and rituals, as well as to analyze their impact on social interaction and cultural self-determination among representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Tatarstan. The methodological framework of the study is built on a comprehensive approach that includes ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews with community members, and an analysis of archival and literary sources. This set of methods has allowed not only the collection of qualitative data about traditional practices but also tracking their dynamics under the influence of global processes and modern urbanization. The application of mixed research methods has provided a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of preserving cultural heritage and its adaptation to new socio-cultural realities. The “Results” section presents the main findings of the study. It was found that traditional practices, including celebrations, rituals, and family ceremonies, continue to play a significant role in the lives of Azerbaijanis in Tatarstan by fostering community bonds and social solidarity. At the same time, the modernization of some traditions through the use of modern digital technologies has been noted, enabling the younger generation to integrate the legacy of their ancestors into everyday life. It was also established that traditional values contribute to interethnic dialogue and the strengthening of cultural resilience in a multiethnic region. In the discussion, the obtained results are interpreted through the lens of cultural adaptation theory, with an emphasis on the mutual influence of traditional values and contemporary social processes. The authors of the article offer practical recommendations for the development of programs to support ethnocultural heritage and underscore the necessity for further research into the mechanisms of transforming traditions in the context of globalization and digitalization of society.

the article examines the "Draft Convention concerning Mount Athos between Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania and Montenegro", developed in March 1913 at the Russian embassy in Constantinople. The document represented an attempt to create an international condominium of Orthodox powers over the Holy Mountain of Athos after its liberation from Ottoman rule as a result of the First Balkan War. The project was prepared by the first dragoman of the embassy A.N. Mandelstam on the instructions of ambassador M.N. Giers and was based on proposals by the consul general in Thessaloniki A.K. Belyaev. The theoretical foundations of the project are analyzed, including the justification for choosing the condominium model instead of creating an independent state. The structure of the proposed governance system with a special role for Russia is examined, which was to receive 5 out of 12 votes in the Council of Commissioners and chairmanship in it. The project envisaged preserving traditional Athonite institutions of self-government while creating new international authorities. Although the convention was not implemented due to Greek opposition and the outbreak of World War I, the document remains an important source for understanding Russian foreign policy in the early 20th century and attempts to solve international problems through the creation of new forms of international administration of territories with special religious status.

the article analyzes the historical role of Colonel General T.F. Shtykov, who served as the USSR Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the DPRK in 1948-1950: on the eve and at the beginning of the Korean War of 1950-1953, he actually played the role of a key link in political communication between I.V. Stalin and Kim Il Sung and, in this regard, played an important role in unleashing this military conflict. The author focuses on the problem of T.F. Shtykov’s personal responsibility for a number of serious military-strategic miscalculations that predetermined the defeat of the DPRK in 1950, and, above all, the underestimation of the threat posed by the Inchon landing operation carried out by the Americans deep in the rear of the North Korean communist forces. At the same time, according to the author, the blame for the failure of the North Korean offensive also falls on Stalin himself, for whose contradictory policies in Korea his subordinates paid. The article introduces into scientific circulation materials from the State Archive of Documents of the Modern History of the Kaluga Region (GADNIKO) documents from the personal file of T.F. Shtykov, left after his forced stay in the position of deputy chairman of the Executive Committee of the Kaluga Regional Council as a result of demotion and reduction in rank – these sources allow us to confirm a number of facts from the biography of the first USSR ambassador to North Korea.

this article is dedicated to the study of the peculiarities of the religious behavior of vaishnava communities in the Republic of Bashkortostan, reflecting the relevance of interest in the diversity of religious traditions in Russia and the necessity of a deep understanding of the mechanisms of religious community formation. The growth of Vaishnavism in the region is attributed to an increased interest in spiritual practices and the active activities of religious organizations. The article presents the results of field research based on surveys of members of vaishnava communities. Additionally, attention is drawn to the specifics of how participants perceive religiosity. Many of them view religious experience as a path to spiritual growth and personal transformation, while others place greater emphasis on the formal adherence to religious norms. This diversity of approaches highlights the multilayered nature of religious practices and the variety of beliefs within vaishnava communities. Regional differences in attitudes towards religious practices and restrictions have been identified, reflecting the cultural characteristics of the population. The results of the study underscore a high degree of acceptance of religious norms and the need for further research and activities aimed at supporting the spiritual life of vaishnavas in the region.

this article examines and analyzes the impact of Soviet military aid to the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan on the democratic government of Afghanistan. The Soviet Union's extensive military aid began in 1979 and peaked in 1989. The Soviet Union provided Afghanistan with large amounts of military equipment, light and heavy weapons during these years. This article presents an analytical and historical study of the nature, volume, scale and consequences of this aid. After the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan came to power in 1978, the Soviet Union, as a strategic ally of the government, provided extensive military aid to the Afghan government. The Afghan conflict led to international crises during the Cold War and had long-term implications for global security politics. The findings of this article can contribute to a better understanding of the role of great power military presence in the modern history of Afghanistan and its implications for developing societies.