Asia & Africa today
Media registration certificate: № 0110157 от 04.02.1993
The monthly academic journal and Russia's only periodical focusing on topics and issues in Asia and Africa. (The issues of CIS countries are not considered in the journal.)
Published since July 1957
Until March 1961 has been issued under the title "Sovremennyi Vostok" / "Contemporary East".
Founders
- Russian Academy of Sciences
- Institute of Oriental Studies RAS
- Institute for African Studies
Publisher
- Russian Academy of Sciences
The journal is published under the supervision of the RAS Department of Historical and Philological Sciences (OIFN RAS).
About the journal
Mission of the Journal is to provide a platform for authoritative researchers from Russia, CIS and other countries to discuss processes and events taking place in Asia and Africa.
"Asia and Africa today" publishes scholarly articles on the political, economic and social processes of Asian and African states, their culture and art, reviews of Asian and African literature. The Journal also publishes reviews of the most important scientific events - international conferences of orientalists, symposia and scientific expeditions.
"Asia and Africa today" journal’s authors and audience includes scholars, researchers, PhD students and humanities students, as well as politicians, public figures, experts of Russian and foreign organizations that work with Asian and African countries.
The author's point of view does not necessarily coincide with that of the editorial board.
Objectives
Analysis of socio-political, economic, demographic, environmental, cultural and other processes in Asian and African countries and their history.
The major areas and subjects for presentation in the journal:
- political development of Asian and African countries;
- economic problems of Asian and African countries;
- international relations;
- development economics;
- Asian and African states’ activities in UN and regional international organizations;
- pandemic in Asia and Africa;
- globalization and regionalization;
- civilizational development issues;
- problems of society and the state, democracy and autocracy;
- the emergence and features of civil society;
- food problem in developing states;
- demographic processes and migrations of the population
- aggravation of environmental problems in Asian and African continents;
- ethnic and interfaith conflicts;
- Islam and Christianity and their influence on political processes in Asian and African countries;
- culture, science, education, literature, art;
- religions, beliefs, cults;
- traditions, customs, morals;
- chapters of history;
- Russia – Asia and Africa (political, economic, cultural and other relations of Russia with Asian and African countries).
Tasks
- Assistance to scientific research in the field of Oriental and African studies. Publication of materials on the basis of topical research and theses, and also based on the results of overseas trips and fieldwork. Reviews of key Russian and international conferences and symposiums.
- Involving prominent Russian and foreign researchers as authors.
- Reviewing the most significant works and monographs on the journal’s topics.
- The practical help to young orientalists and africanists. Publication of their materials under the heading "Post-graduate Column".
- Cooperation with Oriental research Centres and Faculties of the Russian higher education institutions, as well as with foreign higher education institutions and research centres. Attraction of researchers and academic lecturers as journal authors. Strengthening and development of cooperation with co-founders of the journal - Institute of Oriental Studies and Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Policy
- Prompt reaction to the events taking place in Asian and African countries.
- Extending of topics and improvement of quality of materials to be published.
Indexing
The journal is included in the Higher Attestation Commission List of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Russian Scientific Citation Index – a database, accumulating information on papers by Russian scientists, published in native and foreign titles. The Russian Scientific Citation Index project is under development since 2005 by “Electronic Scientific Library” foundation ( elibrary.ru).
- Russian Science Citation Index on Web of Science in partnership with Russia’s Scientific Electronic Library ( eLibrary.ru).
- EBSCO Publishing
Current Issue



No 6 (2025)
Top problem
Features of the Current Situation in the Greater East Asia
Abstract



Politics, economics
Economic and Social Determinants of Sub-Saharan Africa’s Development. Part 2



Dynamics of Development of Islamic Education in Mauritania
Abstract



Ethiopia: The Amhara Conflict, or the Fano Rebellion
Abstract



Pondicherry as Part of the Republic of India: The Administrative and Territorial Issue
Abstract



Indian Diaspora in East Africa and Its Role in the Development of Indian-African Economic Relations
Abstract



International North–South Transport Corridor: Socio-Political Reasons of Development
Abstract
The paper discusses the main socio-political reasons for the development of the International Nоrth–Sоuth Transport Corridor – one of the most promising infrastructure development projects in Eurasia. These reasons are discussed in the context of the historical development of trade routes in the Caucasian region, as well as current political events, such as the change of government in Iran in 2024 and the re-election of Donald Trump as the president of the US. The factors of the Corridor’s development should be understood as a nexus of political and social developments in the region and globally. The project faces serious challenges due to its decentralized development (there are many powerful stakeholders with conflicting interests) and rapidly changing international structure and system. The authors suggest going beyond studying economic or logistical reasons for the development of new trade routes. The socio-political reasons for the Corridor should be divided into categories, such as geopolitics, economic interests, security interests, and regional connectivity, and studied as a whole to understand the ramifications of these processes. The negative factors, especially the most acute problems, such as chokepoints, must also be taken into account.



Post-graduate tribune
China’s Digital Silk Road: Opportunities and Risks for Developing Countries
Abstract



Book review


