Department of International Relations and Political Processes in Asia and Africa

Maria Chizhevskaya spoke at a seminar organised by the Association of Japanologists on Japan’s Middle East policy

On 14 May, MGIMO hosted a seminar entitled ‘The New Middle East Crisis and Japan’, organised by the Association of Japanologists. During the seminar, speakers addressed a wide range of issues – Japan’s economic and political interests in the region, Japan’s stance on the crises surrounding Iran and the Gaza Strip, and the perception of Japanese policy in the countries of the region.

May 19

Svetlana Krivokhizh and Elena Soboleva organized a roundtable at the 3rd Congress of International Relations Scholars, held at St. Petersburg State University

Within the framework of the 3rd Congress of International Relations Scholars (KIMO) in St. Petersburg, Svetlana Krivokhizh and Elena Soboleva served as organizers and speakers of the roundtable titled “China in the Global Communication Space: Discourses, Institutions, and Strategies of Influence.” The session brought together leading Russian experts on China’s contemporary communication policies from the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICMA RAS), MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European University at St. Petersburg, Kazan Federal University, and Moscow State Linguistic University, sparking lively discussion among congress participants.

May 04

Svetlana Krivokhizh participated in the 3rd Russia–China Forum of Young Scholars held in Changchun, PRC

Dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China–Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, the forum brought together young scholars from leading Russian and Chinese universities and research institutes. A welcome letter was addressed to participants by Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.

April 27

Department Staff Participate in Roundtable on China’s Role in Global Governance at HSE University’s April International Conference

On April 14, 2026, as part of the HSE University April International Scientific Conference in Moscow, a roundtable titled “China in Global Governance: From Narratives to Institutions” was held, organized by the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies (CCEIS). The discussion brought together leading Russian experts on contemporary China from the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICMA RAS), the European University at St. Petersburg, RUDN University, and HSE University. The session was moderated by Vasily Kashin, Director of CCEIS.

April 21

Media and Politics in Asia and Africa: Reading Between the Lines

Why do the same events look different in Chinese, Japanese, and Arab media? How do media shape the political agenda of entire regions? And how to avoid falling for fake news?In the course "Media and Politics in Asia and Africa," students don't just study theory—they read real media from different countries and learn to see what's hidden behind headlines and texts. This not only develops analytical thinking but also provides practical skills useful in journalism, international relations, PR, and even everyday life. What do those who have already taken the course think? We talked to 4th-year students Maksim Ustinov and Elizaveta Ugnivenko.

April 02

At the Discussion Club meeting, students discussed the phenomenon of video games as an instrument of soft power

On 17 February, another meeting of the Discussion Club on International Relations in East Asia was held, led by Maria Chizhevskaya.

February 20

On soft power, debates and discussion clubs: fourth-year student Sofya Cherkasova shares her experience of studying international relations in Asia

We continue to talk about our tracks, and today we will discuss the field of international relations. The most common questions we receive from students considering this track are: ‘Theory is useful, of course, but where can I find lively discussions and a community? What real-world skills can I develop?’ This track addresses these questions through a comprehensive approach. Here, you can delve into political theories and concepts, write a term paper that will form the basis for publication, and discuss current world events in a discussion club. Fourth-year student Sofya Cherkasova shared how she managed to structure her studies in a way that was both interesting and useful for developing her professional skills.

February 18

A diplomat from the Russian Foreign Ministry was a guest at a new career guidance meeting

On 12 February, as part of the department's career guidance project, an online meeting was held with Denis Karenin, a Japanologist, employee of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and graduate of MGIMO and Ural Federal University. Denis spoke about his experience working in Russian diplomatic missions in Japan and the Philippines, about the daily routine of the diplomatic service, and shared some memorable episodes from his practice. We would like to share some important points from this meeting.

February 16

"I combined my thesis with what I love — and it turned out to be so much easier!"Ekaterina Slinkina, student of the Economics track, on researching UAE airlines' development strategies

The "Economics of Asia and Africa" track at the Department of Asian and African Studies has long been one of the most popular on our programme. Yet many students hesitate when they first see the name: "Will I manage? Do I need to already know something complex and highly specific to feel confident here?" Let us be clear: no, you don't. Our tracks follow a "simple to complex" logic — we start with foundational concepts and gradually guide you toward independent research. Most importantly, you get to explore what genuinely interests you. Want to dive into Emirati airlines? Chinese digital platforms? We will always find a supervisor who can help you turn curiosity into serious academic work — just as we did for Ekaterina Slinkina. Combining her passion for aviation, hands-on experience at an airport, and economic analysis, she turned personal interest into a successful thesis. Here's what she gained along the way.

February 10

The department organized the first meeting for students as part of career guidance activities

The first speaker in the project was Anna Belikova, head of RT's protocol department, advisor to the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, and founder of the Asian specialists Club. The meeting took the form of a live dialogue and was structured around questions from students.

January 20