The article is devoted to a critical analysis of the evolution of the relations between the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Germany. Russia has an incentive in the resumption of a pragmatic and mutually beneficial dialog with Germany in various fields.

The author analyzed the nature and peculiarities of the D. Trump administration’s policy towards the formation and implementation of the US foreign policy towards Iran. The factors that influenced the decision-making in the White House are considered. It is shown that US diplomacy maintained strategic continuity, and economic sanctions were the most effective tool for influencing the theocratic regime of Iran. The approach of the D. Trump administration was complex, based on an expansive interpretation of the concept of «terrorism» and the power component.

Despite historically strong ties between Russian and Montenegrin peoples, recent years were marked by increasing Russophobia of the ruling Montenegrin political elite, which resulted in worsening of relations at all levels. The article examines the balance of forces in the new Montenegrin parliament and the key strategic guidelines of the most important political forces with the rationale for explaining the impossibility of a quick change in the foreign policy of Montenegro.

Comparing relations between China and Russia with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the author shows that from dialogue partners both Beijing and Moscow have turned into strategic partners of ASEAN, expanding the horizons of cooperation. The directions of interaction of both states with ASEAN basically coincide, but the scale and depth of ties in specific areas differ. China is ASEAN’s main trading partner, while Russia is more successful in cooperating with ASEAN in the area of defense and security.

The materials of the international round table «Humanitarian Communications in Neighborhood Countries» reveal the concept of «neighborhood countries», consider current areas of information cooperation, the role of creative industries in the development of neighborhood, issues of church diplomacy, new contours of the Eurasian space, scientific diplomacy, features and ways of developing common educational, cultural, information space of Russia with the neighboring countries.

The authors consider the importance and role of the social and solidary economy in raising the living standards of the poorest population. On the basis of international experience in the creation and operation of consumer cooperation, its prospects are shown and the reasons why this type of organization has not received sufficient development in post-Soviet Russia are shown, proposals are given for the development of consumer cooperation in the country.

Analyzing the entire set of interconnections and interdependencies between ethnic entrepreneurship, the shadow economy and organized crime, the author reveals the main forms and specific manifestations of these interconnections, as well as their impact on the state of the social climate in the migrant environment. Special attention is paid to the formation in Russia of a new organized force represented by the diasporas, capable of mass mobilization of «fellow tribesmen».