The article presents the results of research on the legal status of Russian compatriots living in post-Soviet countries, primarily in Kazakhstan. The results of sociological surveys conducted in 2014, 2017 and 2021-2022 are analyzed.

The phenomenon of private military companies (PMCs) is a rather controversial and ambiguous topic. Over the past more than thirty years, PMCs have played an increasingly important role in local wars and regional conflicts. In this article we are talking about the causes of PMCs, their characteristics are analyzed and legal assessments are given. We believe that PMCs will not only not cease to exist for a long time, but, on the contrary, will spread in the future. At the same time, the activities of PMCs should be, to the maximum extent possible, within the legal framework.

The article examines the causes of the systemic crisis in Moldova caused, first of all, by Chisinau’s attempts, for the sake of demonstrating “Euro-Atlantic solidarity”, to switch to alternative, but little promising sources of gas supplies to Russia, which led to the collapse of industrial production, uncontrolled inflation and a sharp decline in the standard of living of the population. Chisinau is trying to shift the problems associated with the reduction of Russian gas supplies to the republic to Transnistria, arbitrarily reducing the corresponding amounts of supplies intended for it. Such actions are aimed at economically forcing Tiraspol to reintegrate into Moldova, without regard to the fact that this could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe here.

The article reviews various aspects of the functioning of regional political regimes in a methodological way. Emphasis is placed on the features of the modern socio-political process in conditions of instability. The variability of regime forms is shown, which, on the one hand, are gradually unified due to hybrid configurations that turned out to be not fully vital, and on the other hand, are specified in the format of neopatrimonial practices (asymmetry towards informal institutionalization), characteristic to varying degrees of all types of political regime or are considered along with the classical regime triad. In addition, the analysis concerns domestic and other post-Soviet cases in the context of national and subnational political regimes.

Over the past few years, the Turkish leadership has established itself as a talented mediator in all economic, political and geopolitical issues. Taking advantage of its unique geographic location on the world map, Turkey undertakes mediation services in resolving the conflict in Ukraine and provides support in the transportation of Kazakh oil through the Turkish city of Ceyhan. In addition to “partner” services, Turkey is trying to become an oil and gas hub. It was noted that in the future, if Kazakhstan begins to transport oil through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, this will significantly affect the geopolitical map of the world. This is facilitated by many geopolitical factors, such as ensuring the diversification of energy supplies to Turkey from the countries of Central Asia to Europe.

The relevance of the article is related to the need to address issues that arise in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). The purpose of this study is to identify the main problems of AI in science and offer possible practical solutions.

The article is devoted to the study and analysis of positive practices used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Russia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The largest development of small and mediumsized businesses over the period 2016 to 2019 was in such areas of activity as services, trade, construction, industrial production, agriculture. The introduction of strict quarantine measures had a negative impact on the financial condition of all sectors of the economy, therefore, the most affected sectors of the Russian economy were identified. The article examines the positive practices used by SMEs from such affected areas of activity as tourism and hotel business and fitness industry. In the conditions of border closure, after the lifting of strict restrictions, domestic tourism has received the greatest development. The conducted research has shown that information technologies have helped SMEs to continue working, reduce costs and organize business processes more efficiently.

The regional agro-industrial complex produces products in demand in the Russian Federation and abroad, regional entrepreneurs have learned to successfully sell them, constantly expanding sales markets. Due to the successful geographical location of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, more than 90% of the shipment is accounted for by rail transport. Over the past few years, the region has confidently occupied a leading position in grain transportation by rail among the regions of the Siberian Federal District. In the scientific article, the authors present a technical solution for the organization of specialized grain cargo loading points using railway transport infrastructure, which, under the current conditions, is of strategic importance for the stable development of the country’s economy.

Small and medium businesses are the most important sector of the economy of each country, which ensures its sustainable development. In this regard, SMEs require special attention from the Government, and the issues of creating an optimal system of taxation of SMEs seem to be the most relevant. The British experience of small and medium enterprises tax stimulation represents a wide variety of means of tax support. Tax stimulation of SMEs in the UK is ensured by a set of tax incentives, which are aimed at creating comfortable conditions for the successful and effective functioning of small and medium enterprises.

The article is devoted to the study of the formation of Russia’s policy towards its foreign diaspora, the choice of accents and areas of activity at the initial stage of interaction, the regulatory framework and tools for the implementation of state diaspora policy. The author conducts a comprehensive analysis of the legislation concerning Russian compatriots and the existing programs for working with them.

The article examines the history of the development of railways on the territory of the United Mexican States from the moment of their emergence in 1837 to the present. The background for the development of railway transport is the key political events in the national history of the country during the XIXXXI centuries. A brief comparison of them with similar events in Russia is given.