This article explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the architecture of global geopolitics, where traditional great power rivalry is taking on a new technological dimension. The central focus of the analysis is the strategic competition between the United States and China, which is seen as a determining factor in shaping the future digital landscape. The author sequentially analyzes two dominant models of AI development: the American model, based on private initiative and venture capital funding, and the Chinese model, characterized by centralized state planning and targeted investments. Particular attention is given to the military dimension of this race, where AI is becoming a key element of “hard power”, giving rise to serious challenges to international stability, including the classic security dilemma. The key thesis of the paper is that the future of global AI governance is not limited to a bipolar model. The author demonstrates that major emerging markets — Russia, India, and Brazil — have significant potential to have a decisive impact on the trajectory of technological development. Based on a comparative analysis of their national strategies, unique starting conditions and competitive advantages, the author substantiates the possibility of forming a multipolar digital architecture. It emphasizes that these countries are not obligated to make a clear choice in favor of one of the opposing sides, but can instead develop their own, sovereign approaches to AI development that align with their national interests and cultural characteristics. The conclusion is that the active participation of players such as Russia, India and Brazil in the AI race contributes to a more diversified, equitable and sustainable world order. Instead of passively following the lead of tech giants, these countries are capable of initiating new international partnerships and alternative standards that take into account the interests of a broader range of global participants. Thus, the article contributes to the debate about the future of global technology governance, arguing for a transition from bipolar confrontation to multipolar cooperation in the digital age.

The article explores the problem of fragmentation of the BRICS media space and substantiates the need to form a unified media ecosystem of the alliance. The relevance of the work is due to the increasing role of BRICS in a multipolar world, as well as the presence of significant barriers to consolidating the information influence of the participating countries: technological asymmetry, low interactivity of resources, duplication of content and dependence on Western digital platforms. The purpose of the study is to identify key obstacles to the integration of BRICS media resources and propose mechanisms for creating a unified media ecosystem. The work uses methods of content analysis, comparative analysis and case study (using the example of the multilingual portal TV BRICS and other media resources of the alliance). The main results of the study: the fragmentation of the BRICS media resources, their limited interactivity and fragmented communication field were recorded; technological barriers (platform blockages, local registration requirements, unequal access to global services) were identified; the potential of TV BRICS as the core of the future ecosystem (coverage of over 1.5 billion, 30+ partners) was assessed; ways of integration are proposed: removing mutual restrictions, developing interoperable solutions or a single platform, and mobilizing historical cooperation experience. The scientific novelty lies in the systematization of barriers to integration and in the justification of Russia’s role as a potential driver of the creation of a sovereign digital infrastructure of the BRICS. The practical significance lies in the possibility of using the results to develop a media integration strategy for the alliance, counteract disinformation and increase audience engagement.

The article examines the process of transnationalization of Russian vertically integrated oil companies (VINK) in the period 1990-2010 and the prospects for its development in modern conditions. The purpose of the study is to identify the key factors, risks and potential trajectories of the «second wave of transnationalization» of the VINK, taking into account the changed geopolitical and economic reality. Research methods. The work is based on the theory of monopolistic advantages by S. Hymer (analysis of the competitive advantages of the VINK); the methodology of geopolitical analysis (assessment of the impact of the sanctions regime and the multipolarity of the world); a systematic approach to the study of interstate cooperation (the role of BRICS and other alliances). Results. It is established that: the initial stage of the transnationalization of the VINK was based on neoliberal economic theory and the perception of globalization as an unconditional trend, which led to high political risks (the imposition of sanctions); modern conditions are forming a new type of imperfect competition in the oil and gas markets, due to the energy transition and political pressure on Western corporations; Russian VINK have a competitive advantage in scale, but lack advanced technologies; the geopolitical factor becomes key when choosing directions for international expansion; cooperation with countries that share Russia’s interests in building a multipolar world is a priority. Conclusions. For the successful transnationalization of the VINK, it is necessary to combine its own technological developments with international cooperation (including within the framework of BRICS); focus on the long-term economic and political interests of the state.; to use the mechanisms of interstate cooperation for the implementation of joint energy projects.

The article examines the problem of integrating a risk-based approach into the process of forming and implementing government programs in Russia. The relevance of the work is due to the growing global instability, limited budgetary resources and insufficient effectiveness of traditional mechanisms of program-oriented and budget planning. The purpose of the study is to comprehensively analyze the features of the risk-based approach in public administration, identify key problems of its implementation in the Russian Federation and develop proposals for improving the methodological and institutional framework. The following methods were used in the work: comparative legal, institutional and systemic analysis; regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation and foreign countries, documents of national projects and state programs, international standards of risk management (ISO 31000, COSO ERM) were studied. The main results. The key problems of the domestic experience have been identified: the lack of a single standard for risk assessment, formal threat accounting, weak connection of risk analysis with the budget process, shortage of personnel and digital tools. A comparative analysis of foreign practices (EU, USA, China, Japan) was carried out, which showed a high level of integration of risk management into strategic planning and budgeting. Proposals have been formulated to improve the system: the development of a national risk management standard, the introduction of digital forecasting platforms, the creation of project offices, and advanced training for civil servants. Conclusions. The system integration of risk analysis into the management cycle will increase the sustainability of government programs, ensure the rational use of budget resources and lay the foundation for further digitalization of risk management.

The article examines geoclimatic problems as a complex challenge to the modern world community, which has a significant impact on the economic development of states. The purpose of the work is to analyze key geoclimatic risks, assess their potential economic damage for a number of leading countries (Russia, USA, China) and identify the specifics of climate threats in different regions. The study presents a multidimensional classification of geoclimatic problems (based on the approaches of the Bank of Russia and S.B. Kuzmin); the main types of risks are considered: physical and transitional climatic, geophysical, geological, meteorological, agrometeorological, hydrological, etc.; the most acute geoclimatic challenges for the world community (global warming, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, forest fires, desertification) are analyzed; priority risks for Russia (melting permafrost, forest fires, droughts, floods, heat stress in cities, vulnerability of infrastructure); A cross-country comparison of the scale of threats and potential damage was carried out using a tabular model. The methodology includes comparative analysis, systematization of data from international organizations (WMO, IPCC, UNEP), statistics of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation and scientific research. Main conclusions: geoclimatic problems are becoming systemic and forming a new «climate economy», where adaptation measures become a condition for sustainable development; no state is able to face modern climate challenges alone — international cooperation is required. For Russia, the risks associated with cryolithozone degradation, forest fires, and water stress in agricultural regions are of particular importance; a comparison of the three countries shows that the greatest potential damage from meteorological emergencies is in the United States, from seismic threats in China, and Russia is characterized by local but critical risks in certain regions. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of using the results obtained to develop national strategies for adaptation to climate change and improve environmental risk management mechanisms.

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors that hinder the effective solution of the problems of socio-economic development in Russia and contribute to the strengthening of socio-economic inequality in the country. The subject of the research is the mechanisms of implementation of modern social policy in Russia, including the system of national projects, as well as their impact on the deepening of socio-economic imbalances. The methodological basis of the research includes a neo-patrimonial approach, which makes it possible to identify the role of formal and informal practices in the activities of management structures. The methods of political-comparative, normative and discursive analysis are used in the work. The theoretical significance of the research lies in the identification of cause-and-effect relationships between the features of Russia’s socio-political system and the processes of socio-economic development. It is established that the neopatrimonial nature of the system contributes to the formation of patronage-client relations, the development of favoritism, cronyism and corruption. The practical significance is determined by analyzing the effectiveness of national projects and identifying systemic problems in their implementation. The research is based on an extensive source base, including regulatory legal acts, statistical data, and materials from expert organizations. The main conclusions of the study indicate that the current model of socio-political organization reproduces the features of patrimonial capitalism. At the same time, the preservation of internal socio-political stability creates prerequisites for the formation of a more democratic model of redistributive neopatrimonialism, capable of balancing the interests of various social groups. The prospects of the study are related to the further study of the mechanisms of transformation of the socio-political system of Russia and the development of recommendations for reducing socio-economic inequality.

The purpose and objectives of the article. The article is aimed at revealing and substantiating the main trends in the development of bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and the CIS member states. It is shown that the Commonwealth as an integration project has repeatedly changed its purpose: initially created as an alternative to the processes of disintegration, it became the basis of multilateral relations between the former Soviet republics. When writing the article, the following tasks were solved: a comparison of Russia’s bilateral relations with the CIS countries was carried out; the modern role of the CIS as a regional association was analyzed.; Promising areas for the development of bilateral relations are highlighted. Methodology. The research is based on: structural analysis (generalization and systematization of economic information); comparative legal method (comparison of normative legal acts); systematic approach (comprehensive analysis of issues). Results. It is revealed that the Russian Federation has formed an asymmetrical but important relationship with the CIS countries. Differences in economies and territorial scales make Russian leadership virtually uncontested. The CIS has significantly moved away from the original idea: if at the beginning the Commonwealth was the only platform for bilateral relations, today the Russian Federation can play a different role in relations with each country. The participation of the Russian side (government and business) in local infrastructure projects is of key importance. For Russia, such cooperation is important to circumvent sanctions, develop business and infrastructure; for other CIS countries, it is important to attract investment and technology

The outstanding Russian statesman S.Yu. Witte left behind a significant journalistic, scientific and memoir heritage. A special place in it is occupied by “Lecture notes on the national and state economy.” It is noteworthy that this work was published three times in the pre-revolutionary period and was republished several times in post-Soviet times. There is even an audio version of the lectures. This fact deserves special attention, since textbooks, especially in the field of economics, rarely remain relevant for a long time. In the 125 years since they were written, dramatic changes have occurred in Russia and in the world: completely new sectors of the economy have emerged, and specific statistical data, of course, are hopelessly outdated. In this regard, the question naturally arises: what determines the enduring relevance of S. Yu. Witte’s ideas? Why are his lectures becoming a subject of study again?

This article is devoted to the study of the Russian experience of using funds as a tool to strengthen certain areas of government policy. The main focus is on a retrospective analysis of the Russian tradition of using the foundation’s structure as a mechanism to support the implementation of state policy in the social sector and support for childhood, culture, and the development of certain territories with cultural and historical value, using the example of funds created on behalf of the President of Russia in 1991–2025. The purpose of the study is to identify the prospects for using this format in determining the target areas of public policy in need of additional support — what advantages can the creation of an additional fund provide — based on an analysis of the results achieved and the effectiveness of existing funds. The research methodology includes a retrospective analysis of the regulatory framework for the creation of funds, a content analysis of public reporting and a qualitative assessment of the results of their activities. The results show that the this format provides a mechanism for interdepartmental interaction through the integration of representatives of various departments into their management bodies, ensures the vertical mobility of target groups through project activities, and also allows for the accumulation of expertise and financial resources to solve narrowly focused tasks. That makes such foundations centers of integration between the state and civil society. The conclusions point to the prospects of using the fund mechanism, provided that goals are clearly defined, transparency is ensured, and performance is systematically assessed.

The article examines the party-political landscape of the Federal Republic of Germany before and after the Bundestag elections on February 23, 2025 and builds scenarios for its transformation. The object of the study is the party political system of Germany; the subject area is the changes that have occurred in the country’s party political system during the last electoral cycle. The following research methods were used: situational analysis, traditional document analysis, and the scenario method. The aim of the work is to predict the further transformation of the party political landscape in Germany based on data on the changes that occurred during the last electoral cycle. As a result of the research, three possible scenarios for the transformation of the party political landscape in Germany are constructed: optimistic, neutral and negative. The criterion used by the authors in constructing the scenarios was the success of completing the right turn. Based on the results of the work, it was concluded that the currently marginalized Alternative for Germany (AfD) party will be institutionalized and included in the party political system of Germany as a full participant. The scenario of de-ideologizing the party, softening its course and turning Alternative for Germany into a coalition partner for the CDU/CSU is also likely to be implemented.

In the modern media space, the choice of effective strategies for building communications with various segments of the audience is becoming especially relevant. The article discusses the main tools that can be used by companies for high–quality and effective work, especially with a young audience. The object of the research is communication strategies used by domestic and foreign media. The subject of the research is viral content as one of the tools of communication strategies when working with an audience in the digital space. The aim of the work is to identify universal tools that allow companies to build effective communications with the audience, with a special focus on viral content. Research objectives: to analyze the phenomenon of communication strategies and their impact on interaction with the media audience; to systematize key tools for developing communication strategies; to evaluate the effect of using viral content as an element of a communication strategy. Research methods: functional analysis, cognitive analysis, semantic study of communication strategies in the media. The main results. An overview of approaches to the classification of communication strategies is presented (based on the works of T.A. van Dyke, O.S. Issers, O.L. Mikhaleva, S.Y. Poluikova). The structural elements of the communication strategy are highlighted: target segment, communication tools and channels, implementation period, risks, KPIs. The key tools of media audience attraction (trash talking, storytelling, the use of symbolic capital of territories, interactivity and gamification, viral content) are systematized. The factors of content virality (social currency, triggers, emotions, publicity, practical value, storytelling) are analyzed based on the concepts of G. Jenkins, D. Watts, L. Manovich, S. Godin, J. Berger. For each communication tool (storytelling, trash talking, interactivity and gamification, symbolic capital of territories, viral content), the following advantages, limitations and disadvantages are identified. The theoretical significance lies in the generalization and structuring of modern approaches to communication strategies and tools in the media sphere, as well as in the analysis of concepts of virality proposed by leading researchers. Practical significance: the results of the study can be used by managers of media companies to: develop communication strategies based on the portrait of the target audience; make an informed choice of a combination of tools for interacting with consumers; to increase the effectiveness of digital promotion by understanding the mechanisms of virality and the limitations of the methods used.

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of endowment funds (targeted capital) in the US higher education system as a key mechanism for ensuring financial autonomy and strategic development of universities. The study examines: the legal and regulatory framework governing endowments (UMIFA 1972 and UPMIFA 2006); management and revenue distribution principles (intergenerational equity, fiduciary standards); investment strategies of leading universities (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton); challenges related to the politicization of the academic environment and government intervention; international parallels (Japan, Saudi Arabia, China). Drawing on empirical data (NACUBO reports, university financial indicators, legal documents), the author shows that endowments serve not only as a financial instrument but also as a marker of academic legitimacy and institutional maturity. The study concludes that legal protection of endowments from political instrumentalization is essential, and highlights a global trend toward adapting the US endowment model in other countries.

The text provides a critical analysis of the report of the French Ministry of the Interior “The Muslim Brotherhood and Political Islamism in France” (March 2025), dedicated to the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood (BM) movement in the country. The purpose of the study is to find out whether the document contains objective evidence of a threat from BM or serves as an instrument of political manipulation. The main problems identified in the report are: the weakness of the conceptual framework: the terms “Islamism”, “implementation”, and “comprehensive understanding of Islam” are interpreted vaguely, which makes it possible to arbitrarily classify any Muslims defending their identity as BM. The lack of clear criteria for identifying members of the movement: the hierarchical structure of the BM in France is actually blurred, and the ideological criterion is vague. Taking quotations out of context: the judgments of religious figures (Yu. al-Qaradawi, T. Ramadan) are presented in fragments, without taking into account the historical and political background. Contradictory conclusions: claims about the “solid infrastructure” of BM in France are refuted by data on the financial and organizational problems of affiliated non-profit organizations (NKO). Ignoring local dynamics: the report underestimates the role of internal factors (demographics, social status of Muslim communities) and overestimates the influence of transnational structures. Key conclusions: The report is politicized and is probably used to distract attention from the systemic problems of French society (migration, integration, social inequality). The BM structure in Europe is fragmented and weakening: there are financial difficulties, competition between Muslim networks (CEM vs MG), and the departure of old leaders. The importance of local initiatives of Muslim communities focused on solving everyday problems rather than on ideological mobilization is growing. Tensions remain between the Republican model of secularism and religious practices, leading to litigation and the risk of radicalization of individual groups. The key factors in the development of the situation will be the internal dynamics of French society and the pan-European migration policy, rather than the actions of individual organizations. Prospects: in the next 3–5 years, it is unlikely that a centralized threat from BM will appear in France. However, there will remain a high level of media and political confrontation around the topic of Islamism. A sustainable settlement of the conflict requires a transition from symbolic politics to systemic measures for integration and dialogue, which seems unlikely in the context of the polarization of society.

The article examines the problem of repatriation of human remains from museum collections of European countries in the context of the decolonization of knowledge and rethinking historical memory. The relevance of the topic is due to the increasing number of demands for the return of cultural treasures from the colonial era stored in European museums, as well as ethical and legal disputes over the public display of human remains. The purpose of the study is to analyze the French legal framework governing the repatriation of human remains and the specifics of its practical implementation. Research methods: comprehensive analysis of French legislation on repatriation; study of public statements by President Emmanuel Macron on the topic; analysis of media materials and scientific publications; critical discourse analysis of official documents and public debates. The results of the study show that the issue of repatriation of human remains remains a complex and controversial phenomenon in the cultural and political life of Europe. On the one hand, there is a tendency to recognize the right of former colonies to return ancestral heritage as an act of historical justice. On the other hand, there are still scientific and institutional arguments against repatriation related to fears of loss of research potential and lack of storage conditions in the countries of origin. Conclusions. The process of repatriation of human remains goes beyond the technical act of transferring property, turning into a deep socio-cultural and political process. It addresses issues of identity, historical truth, and justice, demanding a revision of dominant narratives and approaches to cultural heritage management.

The paper examines the features and causes of the emergence of traditional Chinese life rituals and customs (using the example of rituals related to birth, marriage and funeral) as the foundation of the national culture of China. The purpose of the study is to analyze the dynamics of ritual transformation and identify their key characteristics in historical development in order to better understand the evolution and current state of Chinese culture. The author draws conclusions that rituals and customs have pronounced social attributes: they form a system of social life based on mutual assistance and humanistic care, and have a symbolic meaning: through objects and actions, expectations and good wishes are expressed. There is a shift from hierarchy to equality: traditional differences in class and status are giving way to the principles of equality. There is a shift away from feudal superstitions: under the influence of science and modernization, superstitious practices are gradually disappearing. There is a tendency towards simplification: complex traditional rituals adapt to the rhythm of modern society. Inclusivity and diversity are evident: The integration of ethnic minorities and Western cultural elements enriches traditional forms. Rituals are increasingly regulated by laws, but the humanistic orientation remains: rituals embody respect and love of life, continuity of moral values. Despite the evolution of rituals, remnants of outdated customs remain; the influence of alien cultural elements; the growing number of divorces, the cult of material well-being in marital relations, and waste. The author formulates recommendations for the preservation and development of traditions: the integration of customs with legislation and the formation of restrictive mechanisms; the promotion of moderation and simplicity in consumption; countering vulgar culture and waste; strengthening moral values and scientific worldview; returning to the original meaning of rituals — love, respect and blessing. Thus, China’s traditional life rituals and customs represent a dynamic system that, while preserving its cultural identity, adapts to modern realities. Their reconstruction should be based on the principles of freedom, equality and humanism, combining the heritage of the past with the values of modern civilization.