In the world of today diplomats, as well as researchers in the field of international relations and political science, must possess a wide range of skills and expertise, which is why their professional training has been and remains a priority at the state level. However, the realities of the third decade of the 21st century are characterized by transformation of the global order in all spheres — from political and economic to social and cultural. Thus, the adequacy of current training methods of corresponding specialists is under question, given contemporary requirements. The article aims at analyzing established programs of training research and diplomatic personnel in Russia on the basis of MGIMO University and at formulating possible ways of addressing the identified problems. 

The present study considers the problem of concluding a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the use of foreign policy applied analysis methods. Late 2022 – early 2023 conflict dynamics shows that both parties to the conflict are willing to reach practical agreements by signing a peace treaty that is capable of ending the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The scientific novelty of the article is to determine with methods of applied and situation analysis how the actions of major external actors affect the process of reaching a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The study uses the hierarchical decomposition method by producing the multi-level decision tree to determine key Armenian-Azerbaijani contradictions and identify the prospects for a negotiated peace between the parties to the conflict. The issues of the access of Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and the participation of external actors were defined as the key problems. The authors concluded that the most likely scenario is the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan before 2024. Moreover, Russia along with France, the United States, Turkey and Iran is an important actor in the region. In the period from November 2022 (the end of the Second Karabakh war) to the present day Russia remains a primary mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution. Thus, despite the renewed efforts of the United States to broker a peace deal Russia is unlikely to be ousted from the South Caucasus.

Editorial Board of International Aspect interviewed Alexander Borisov, Ph.D. in History (Doctor), Professor at the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia. Alexander Borisov graduated from MGIMO; he headed the Faculty of International Information for 18 years. He founded Russian Association of Public Relations. Alexander Borisov served as a Council-Minister to the Netherlands and as Russia’s Special Representative to the Experts Committee of the Council of Europe. On the 13th of June, 2023, he became Professor Emeritus.

Professor Borisov told us about his years of learning in MGIMO and prominent professors of the University, who were experienced practitioners as well as exceptional theoretics. He spoke about the language learning at the School of International Relations. Alexander Borisov shared his memories about friendship and unity which have always marked the School. 

Yuri Dubinin, Ph.D. in History, Professor at the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of Russia, celebrates his 55th anniversary of professional activity: on the 1st of March, 1968, having graduated from MGIMO, he started his work in the Department of Far-East in the USSR MFA. Yuri Dubinin focuses his studies on the Asia-Pacific Region. He delivers lectures for students of the School of International Relations and took part in writing the student’s book on the history of international relations,
In the interview Yuri Dubinin told the Editorial Board of International Aspect about his years of learning, the development of the Department, preparation of student’s book, balance of power in the Asia-Pacific Region and explained why it is so important for an expert in IR to work with the original documents. 

Irina Mitrofanova, Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor at the World Economy Department, has been working in MGIMO for 50 years. She teaches such disciplines as Economic Geography and Geoeconomics of Globalisation. For 30 years Irina Mitrofanova has been in charge for language preparation at the School of International Relations as Deputy Dean.

In the interview she spoke about the development of World Economy Department and changes in the methods of teaching. Irina Mitrofanova explained how languages are assigned to students of the School of International Relations and which languages are prioritized now. She told us how applicants to the School have changed and shared her observations of the relations between the Dean Office and students. 

Tatiana Shakleina, Honorable scientist of the Russian Federation, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, is Professor at the Department of Applied International Analysis; she headed the Department for 15 years. Before MGIMO she did her research in the Institute of the USA and Canada Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, as the Head of The Center for Foreign Policy Studies. In the University she worked with Alexei Bogaturov and Mark Khrustalev to elaborate courses on applied analysis of international relations, megatrends of contemporary international relations, international order, great powers relations, especially the role of Russia and the US, and other scientific problems. She is scientific supervisor of master program Global Politics and International Political Analysis.
Tatiana Shakleina told International Aspect how applied analysis was integrated into the learning programs in MGIMO, what a student needs to successfully master the disciplines and how to find the equilibrium between quantitative and qualitative methods. She spoke about the interaction between the Department and students, a special spirit of the community of young researchers and the corporate unity in MGIMO.

Review of textbook Conceptual Pillars of Russia’s Foreign Policy by Alexander K. Bobrov (Aspect Press, 2021) 

Review of textbook Contemporary Diplomatic Methods and Practices by Olga V. Lebedeva (Aspect Press, 2021) 

Review of textbook Latin American Policy of the USA: New Turns in the First Quarter of the 21st Century by Vladimir P. Sudarev, edited by Lyudmila S. Okuneva (MGIMO University, 2023)