CIIC

🇮🇷 The Iranian Scenario: An Analysis of Diplomatic Failure and the New Balance of Power in the Middle East The official launch of the US military operation against Iran on February 28 was dominated by rhetoric about nuclear disarmament. However, as analysis shows, economic considerations and regional influence play a far more relevant role. 🌏 Our center's expert, Dmitry Kukoyev, and independent expert and Iranian citizen Benjamin Valami, provided a detailed article on how long the Iranian economy will survive and what influence the US has on these processes. The articles examine how Khamenei's death changed the power structure in Tehran, why the IRGC now controls everything, and what will happen to commodity prices in the coming weeks. Overall, the current conflict, and Iran’s response in the form of strikes on neighboring countries, is leading to a significant reduction in the number of countries in the region willing to tolerate risk and sanctions evasion through which Iran had operated its exports. At the same time, it is unlikely that the current buyers of Iranian oil and mineral raw materials will refuse to continue deals altogether, but it is fair to say with confidence that transport premiums and risk discounts will gradually rise over the course of the conflict, leading to a contraction of the Iranian economy. 🔗 You can read the completed article at this link https://telegra.ph/The-Iranian-Scenario-An-Analysis-of-Diplomatic-Failure-and-the-New-Balance-of-Power-in-the-Middle-East-03-10 Authors: Independent expert and Iranian citizen Benjamin Valami and CIIC expert Dmitry Kukoyev

🇬🇧 London Shifts Strategy: Why Is Britain Increasing Its Activity in Central Asia? While the world's media attention is focused on other crises, the United Kingdom is quietly but confidently strengthening its presence in the heart of Eurasia. Tomorrow, February 26, London will host a meeting of the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and five Central Asian countries. However, behind the diplomatic protocols lies a tough economic game. Britain, having for many years not viewed this region as an independent center of power, is now placing serious emphasis on it. The reason is not only its traditional desire to contain Russia, but also its urgent need for resources for its own "green transition." Lithium, uranium, and rare earth metals—Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan—are becoming key players in the UK's Critical Minerals Strategy. On the eve of the meeting, Astana and London already signed a roadmap for a strategic partnership in this area. Uzbekistan was promised 4 billion pounds in guarantees in exchange for access to mining projects. 🌏 How does London plan to outpace China in the resource race, and what will countries in the region receive in return? Alina Eliseeva, an expert at our Center, shared her opinion on this issue exclusively for Lenta.Ru. 🔗 You can read the full text at this link https://lenta.ru/news/2026/02/27/uk-ca/ Author: Alina Eliseeva

🇮🇷🇨🇳 "They started this mess themselves." China has begun to pressure Iran over its conflict with the United States. What does Beijing demand of its partner? The recent US military intervention in Iran has become the latest escalation in the Middle East. This conflict, undoubtedly initiated in line with Western geopolitical interests, clearly demonstrates Washington's desire to strengthen its position in the region. However, in a globalized economy, a blow to stability inevitably affects all participants in international supply chains. This is why the People's Republic of China, as a key economic player, could not remain indifferent to these developments. 🌏 Our center's expert, Ivan Bubnov, wrote an article for Lenta.RU about why China has begun to pressure Iran over its conflict with the United States. China's restrained rhetoric is dictated by concerns about its own energy security: the region, which has become a war zone, accounts for approximately 50% of China's oil imports and a significant portion of its gas imports. ✈️ You can read the full text here https://lenta.ru/news/2026/03/03/china-iran Author: Ivan Bubnov

A Look at Economics Through the Lens of Doctrines: A Lecture by Anton Galeev at the Young Humanities Forum 🌏 On March 2, 2026, the program of the international competition and workshop for young humanities scholars "Challenges of Multipolarity" (organized with the support of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund) featured a lecture by renowned economist and historian of science Anton Galeev (HSE University). In his presentation, "Fighting Dogmas, Employing Doctrines: Economic Systems and Models in Theory and Practice at the Age of Global Transformation," the expert proposed a discussion of the development of economic methodology within the framework of a multipolar world. Participants learned how theoretical constructs are transformed into practical development models and how historical context influences the choice of strategies in an era of global transformation. ✨ The depth and originality of the lecturer's approach resonated with the audience: the insightful debate and the high level of engagement in the discussion of the proposed theses convincingly demonstrated the conceptual significance of the event.

🇺🇸🇨🇺Incident off the Coast of Cuba: Why the U.S. Calls the Blockade "Maximum Pressure" Cuban military forces recently repelled a naval incursion: a group of armed Cubans from Florida opened fire on a patrol vessel while attempting to reach the island. 🌏 In an analysis for Gazeta.Ru, expert Ekaterina Plotnikova from our Center examined the historical parallels with the Cuban Missile Crisis and explained why the White House is avoiding the term "blockade." The White House has deliberately avoided calling the current events a blockade, as a blockade is considered a serious act of war. Despite the incentive to mobilize the electorate ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, a direct military confrontation between the U.S. and Cuba remains unlikely. The measured reaction of American politicians, the collective historical trauma associated with the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, and the establishment's confidence in the effectiveness of the island's economic isolation suggest that the status quo is likely to persist in the near future. 👉 The full article is available at the link: https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2026/02/26/27946861.shtml Author: Ekaterina Plotnikova

🕊️ Inspiring Future Diplomats: A Lecture at the HSE Lyceum 🌏 Our expert, Daria Korchemnaya, recently visited the HSE Lyceum to share her experience with the next generation of international relations professionals. The Lyceum was an especially fitting venue for this discussion, having been named the best school in Moscow in 2025 by the RAEX agency. The event brought together students from the humanities and socio-economic departments—young people already seriously considering a career on the global stage. The goal was to give them a realistic and inspiring look at their chosen path, and by the end, it's safe to say they left with plenty to think about. 💬 What did they discuss? 🟣The realities of the profession: Where is the line between the romantic ideal of diplomacy and the demands of everyday work? 🟣Essential skills for success: What abilities—beyond foreign languages—should they be cultivating right now to become sought-after specialists? 🟣Planning their education: Which universities and specific departments offer the best launching pads for a career in international relations? A particularly engaging part of the lecture focused on relations between Russia and Latin American countries. Daria shared her insights on the region's unique characteristics, its rich cultural heritage, and the current trends shaping bilateral ties. The students’ enthusiasm was the highlight of the day. Their thoughtful and numerous questions showed a deep interest in the topics and a real commitment to their future careers.

🇷🇺 February 23: From History to the Present Day The holiday traces its origins back to 1918, when it was linked to the first battles of the Red Army. Later, this day changed its name several times, until it became Defender of the Fatherland Day in 2002. Today, the meaning of the holiday has returned to its origins. We once again thank those who are now on the front lines. And those who are waiting for them back home. 🙏🏻 We'd like to express our gratitude to everyone involved. Happy holidays!

🇻🇪 "Blockade Imperialism": How the US is destroying healthcare in Venezuela and now Cuba? Almost two months have passed since the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro — an unprecedented act of forcibly redrawing the geopolitical landscape. In this context, the issue of the region’s economic sovereignty has become particularly acute, especially in a part of the world where pharmacology has historically been one of the state-forming industries. This is precisely why the sanctions policy pursued by the United States could not go unnoticed: by undermining access to innovation and patent protection, Washington is striking at the very foundations of national security and public health, seeking to transform Latin America from a strategic partner into a dependent semi-colony. 🌏 Dariya Korchemnaya, an expert at our center, commented on the current situation exclusively for @ogon_media (http://t.me/ogon_media). 🧷 You can read the full article via the link provided Author: Dariya Korchemnaya

🌍🗳 International Election Observation and Electoral Sovereignty: Highlights from the Round Table at the IPA CIS Conference ⏺ On February 19, Areg Agasaryan, Head of the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation, took part in a round table on "International Observation of Elections and Referendums and the Protection of Electoral Sovereignty: Cooperation Among CIS, African, and Latin American States" held as part of the international conference "Building Trust in the Institution of Elections and Referendums: The Role of International Observation" in St. Petersburg. The event, marking the 20th anniversary of the International Institute for Monitoring the Development of Democracy, Parliamentarism, and Respect for Electoral Rights of Citizens of IPA CIS Member States, brought together heads of electoral bodies, parliamentarians, experts, and representatives of civil society institutions from across the CIS and partner countries. 🌏 Areg Agasaryan emphasized that international election observation has become a critical tool for ensuring transparency and legitimacy of electoral processes. However, he noted a growing concern regarding the neutrality of certain Western-funded observer organizations and stressed the growing demand for alternative methodologies: "With the transition to multipolarity, the international community increasingly recognizes the need for pluralism of assessments and objective standards for observers guided not by political directives but by professional methodology and respect for the sovereignty of observed states. This is where the methodological developments and experience of the IPA CIS International Institute for Monitoring acquire special significance." ⏺He announced that approaching this challenge CIIC will host an international conference in Moscow this spring, gathering over 50 countries to discuss the creation of an international non-governmental association of experts in electoral processes and international election observation. This institution will work on the gradual promotion of alternative Western methodologies and standards to help keep the electoral sovereignty and engage civil society institutions in protecting national interests of states.

🤩 The Second Season of the «Horizons of Opportunities» Program is already waiting for you Dear friends, we want to remind you that we are now accepting applications for the Second Season of the «Horizons of Opportunities» Program. We've provided more details above. Meanwhile, we invite you to look back at the Program’s first Congress👆 Want to be part of the Program? Go fill out an application on our website https://horizonty.online/sign-up

🔥 Don't miss the opportunity to become part of the BRICS community! On March 5-6, the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in India, together with the BRICS-Russia Expert Council and the National Research University Higher School of Economics, will organize the BRICS International School: New Generation. 🎥Scientists, analysts, diplomats, representatives of ministries and agencies, think tank experts, entrepreneurs, journalists, and leaders of youth organizations and civil society aged 18 to 35 are invited to participate. The program includes lectures and expert discussions on the role of BRICS in shaping a multipolar world, the strategic vision of India's chairmanship, sustainable development, innovative economics, geopolitics, and cultural interaction among BRICS countries. Speakers include representatives of the BRICS-Russia Expert Council, HSE, Indian research centers, and international expert institutions. 🔗 Registration is open until February 25! The terms and conditions of participation are available on the School's website. 📆 Date: March 5–6 📍Venue: Russian House, New Delhi, 24 Firoz Shah Road

🇷🇺 Diplomatic Worker's Day Today, February 10, Russia celebrates Diplomatic Worker's Day. 📜 This date has deep historical roots: it was on February 10, 1549, that the Posolsky Prikaz (Ambassadorial Office) — the institution that became the prototype of the modern Ministry of Foreign Affairs — was first mentioned in records. Ivan Viskovaty was its first appointed head. 🌐 Today’s diplomatic service is an extensive network of representations: more than 150 embassies and 80 consulates of Russia operate worldwide. We congratulate all those who represent the country’s interests on the international stage. In the face of sanctions and crises, diplomats bear a special responsibility: to conduct negotiations, defend positions, and seek solutions. This profession requires not only deep knowledge but also exceptional resilience. Thank you for your work!

🔥 Grand Opening Today marked the launch of the International Competition and Workshop "Challenges of Multipolarity". This is a key event for Russian and foreign students and young professionals in the fields of political science, law, history, sociology and economics. In attendance at the opening were: 😌 Ivan Pappinen - leading specialist of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund 🌏 Maria Prokofieva - Director of ANO Center for International Interaction and Cooperation 🇧🇷 Dr. Flavio Rocha de Oliveira - Professor at the Federal University of ABC, Department of International Relations, and a member of the academic think tank OPEB (Observatory of Foreign Policy and Brazil's International Insertion) (Brazil) 🇺🇸 Caleb Maupin - RT Correspondent, Political Journalist, and Analyst (USA) 🇳🇬 David Otujor Okpatuma - Co-founder of the Development and Cooperation for Africa Initiative (Nigeria) We would like to thank all participants for their high level of engagement and interesting questions for the speakers!

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🇷🇺🤝🇺🇿 Strengthening Ties and Preserving History: Results of a Working Visit to Uzbekistan On February 5, a delegation from the Public Council under Rossotrudnichestvo paid a working visit to Tashkent. The visit focused on reviewing the results of joint efforts to preserve the historical memory of World War II. The delegation included Andrey Tsyper, Council Chairman, and Director of the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation, member of the Public Council Areg Agasaryan. During the visit, they toured Uzbekistan’s main memorial complex, Victory Park, where they were introduced to a newly updated exhibition featuring a complete Russian-language description prepared with the support of the Public Council. They also viewed a memorial plaque honoring Grant Oganyants, a Hero of the Soviet Union and renowned tank commander. The plaque was installed with the Council’s assistance and aims to restore the continuity of historical memory and commemorate a common heroic legacy. During the visit, the delegation also laid flowers at the "Ode to Mother" and "Leningrad Monument" monuments. 📌Igor Chaika, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, emphasized: "The implementation of the project to create a Russian-language description of the exhibition at the Victory Park memorial complex is an important step in the development of cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in preserving shared historical memory. The Great Patriotic War is sacred to all the peoples of the USSR; it unites us as the descendants of the great liberating heroes, and no barriers - linguistic, political, or any other - should hinder this unity. Therefore, Rossotrudnichestvo will continue its active work to protect historical memory and support projects aimed at transmitting accurate information about the events of the Great Patriotic War to the younger generation. I would also like to highlight the importance of joint efforts to install a memorial plaque to G.A. Oganyants, thanks to which we were able to perpetuate the memory of a forgotten Hero of the Soviet Union, a native of Uzbekistan of Armenian descent." 📌Areg Agasaryan, Director of the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation, noted that: "A key priority of our work is ensuring historical continuity between generations. Every completed project, whether a memorial plaque or a renovated exhibition, is not only an act of preserving memory but also a crucial tool for transmitting objective historical legacy to young people and fostering respect for the shared heroism of our peoples and states."

Applications for InteRussia Internships Are Now Open ⭕️ 🔥🔥🔥InteRussia — is an internship program for young foreign specialists, implemented by the Gorchakov Fund in cooperation with leading Russian universities, expert centers, and industry partners. ⭕️ The program offers an opportunity to gain practical experience in Russia, work with leading experts, and become part of an international professional community. Over 500 participants from 70 countries have already graduated — now it's your turn to join! ⭕️ Detailed information about the programs and the application process is available on the website interussia.com The InteRussia internships are implemented with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation, Rossotrudnichestvo, and the Ministry of Education of Russia. #InteRussia #Internships

🤩 Second Season of the «Horizons of Opportunity» Program We are opening registration for the II «Horizons of Opportunity» Program! The online module starts on 26 June and will last until 21 August. 👤 Who can participate in the program? International students from Russian universities 🔔 📌Bachelor's degree Second- and third-year bachelor's degree students 📌Specialist degree Third- and fourth-year specialist degree students 📌Master's degree First-year master's degree students 📌Postgraduate studies First- and second-year postgraduate students 📖How to become a participant? Step 1. Fill out the form and register via the Telegram bot by 31 May (23:59 in Moscow). Step 2: Complete the online testing using the link from the Telegram bot by 31 May (23:59 in Moscow). Step 3: Submit your introductory video on the topic of your chosen School by 31 May (23:59 in Moscow). Step 4: Receive an invitation from the Organizing Committee by 11 June (23:59 in Moscow). Step 5: Confirm your participation in the Program by 24 June (23:59 in Moscow). 📌 Apply for the «Horizons of Opportunity» Program by 31 May (23:59 in Moscow). We have compiled all the essential information on our website, and you can stay updated with the latest news in our Telegram channel: 📱Telegram Channel 🤩 «Horizons of Opportunity»

😊 «Cossack spread» in India Friends, last week there was an event «Cossack spread» in India. Choreographic ensemble «Kazakh Splendor» performed on the stages of New Delhi and Mumbai, , which was organized by our colleagues from the Rossotrudnichestvo. The creative team of students of 19 secondary school from Pyatigorsk showed identity and brightness of Cossack art. The guests expected a bright program, filled with Cossack color and native culture. Looking at the unusual performance came Indian schoolchildren and students, public figures, journalists and compatriots. During the performance in Mumbai, the ensemble performed an Indian dance that became a symbol of friendship between peoples. In New Delhi, as part of the visit, there were master classes for pupils of Home Children’s Hope - participants learned some elements of Russian folk dance, and also took part in interactive creative communication. 🌏 Event was supported by our Center for International Interaction and Cooperation.

🇻🇪 Why is Venezuela's Fate a Mirror for All of Latin America? Recently, a piece titled "Venezuela's Sovereign Struggle Against the Backdrop of Crisis in American Imperial Power" was published on the website of our colleagues at the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). It was authored by CIIC participant Vasant Kalal, a postgraduate scholar at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Eduardo Galeano famously wrote that Latin America was "cut into pieces, dried up, and weighed on the market." The events unfolding in Venezuela are not a random crisis but a new chapter in a history where the continent's veins remain open. Who is trying to prevent them from healing, and why? The resistance of Latin America is inseparable from the consciousness of its people. From the era of colonial conquests through the Cold War, this region has been subjected to Western dominance under the pretext of spreading democracy. It is from the collective memory of these repressions that a powerful culture of resistance has formed—expressed in literature, music, and grassroots movements. 🔗 You can read the full article on the RIAC website via this link 🇮🇳 Author: Vasant Kalal

🎭🇷🇺 Russian Youth Theater from Gothenburg at the Russian House in Belgrade! ✨ Yesterday, January 22nd, the "Youth of the 21st Century" theatre studio from Gothenburg, Sweden, presented an original Russian-language production based on the works of Sergei Yesenin, titled "Yes, you remember, you certainly remember," at the Russian House. 🌏 The event was held with the support of the Centre for International Interaction and Cooperation. 🎸🎤🪗🎻 In December, at a major concert at the Russian House dedicated to the work of Silver Age poets, Vyacheslav Charsky (guitar, vocals), Ekaterina Ivanenko (viola), and Alexey Mikitenko (accordion) performed a composition by Alexey Gorshenev, the lead singer of a famous Russian rock musician, set to Sergei Yesenin's famous poem "A Letter to the Woman." 🎭 The opening lines of that poem, "You remember, of course you remember everything..." became the title of the Sergei Yesenin poetry-inspired play by the "Youth of the 21st Century" theatre studio from Gothenburg, Sweden. This performance continues the series of events dedicated to the work of the great Russian poets of the Silver Age.

🌏 Horizons of Opportunity Community Today, the «Horizons of Opportunities» program hosted its inaugural alumni meeting. It is a priority for us that, following their participation, our fellows continue to engage meaningfully and collaborate professionally. To support this goal, we introduced the "Horizons of Opportunity Community" platform. ⭐️This platform will enable graduates of the program to stay connected with each other and, together with the CIIC team, help organize events for the Horizons of Opportunity program in 2026.