On November 12 and 14, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences hosted a scientific conference dedicated to the study of the state, society and security in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, ethnic Kurdistan and neighboring Muslim regions of the Arab East and Central Asia. Opening the conference, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors. V. Ya.Belokrenitsky, Director of the Institute of Islamic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Head of the Center for the Study of BSV Countries (CISBSV), noted that it is the eighth in a series of all-Russian and international conferences on Islamic and regional issues held by the Center since 1999. The main topic of the conference, he noted, is the functioning and interaction of the state and society in the countries of a wide region with a predominantly Muslim population. In addition, special attention is paid to the problems of security and international relations, as well as some aspects of history. In his report "The modern state, civil society and local communities in the countries of the region", V. Ya. Belokrenitsky singled out the power of a few - oligocracy and authoritarianism-as the most characteristic features of the modern state structure in the countries of the region. The ruling oligarchy can vary in composition in terms of the representatives of state institutions and branches of government, professional corporations, and interest groups represented in it. The ruling circles ' use of mostly authoritarian forms and methods of government, including open repression and suppression of civil liberties, remains unchanged. At the same time, the oligarchy combines them with measures aimed at income equality and social justice, while using Islamic slogans, norms and traditions that are popular among the general population. Along with the State, civil institutions, non-governmental and non-profit organizations (NGOs and NGOs) have been strengthened spontaneously and under external inf ... Read more