Minorities in Conflict: The Russian Advance from Plevna to Adrianople (1877 – 1878) and Ottoman Repressive Measures against Greek Ottoman Subjects

Author(s): Spyridon Sfetas / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2015

After the fall of Plevna the Ottoman Empire feared uprisings of the Greek population in the Ottoman provinces. It took repressive measures to prevent a Greek uprising. After the fall of Adrianople, the Greek state incited insurrections to internationalize the issue of the unredeemed Greeks. The uprisings were brutally stifled by the Ottoman army with the substantial help of irregular troops. The protection of non-dominant groups appeared in the Congress of Berlin in a bid of the Great Powers to secure peace in the Balkan states after the religious fanaticism during the Russo-Ottoman War.

Dayton Peace Agreement and Political Reforms in the Context of the Transition of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Society

Author(s): Hoda Dedić / Language(s): English Issue: 2 (20)/2020

In the post-Dayton political development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, some important reforms have been implemented. They have contributed to stability and supported the institution-building process. In the process of implementing reforms over the past 25 years, significant influence has been exercised through the actions of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Decisions and laws imposed by the High Representatives on the basis of the so-called Bonn powers, in the first years since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, established essential elements of Bosnian statehood. Since the announcement of the closure of the Office of the High Representative in 2006, the exercise of the Bonn powers has been radically reduced. This resulted in a slowdown in the process of implementing internal reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Political and technical assistance of the institutions of the international community remains to be necessary.

25 Years After the Dayton Peace Agreement – Way Ahead

Author(s): Zijad Bećirović / Language(s): English Issue: 1 (19)/2020

2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, known as the Dayton Peace Agreement. While over the period of 25 years the agreement has preserved its basic elements, through the arbitration award on Brčko, interventions (decisions) of the High Representative of the international community (OHR) and decisions of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina it has also underwent significant changes. Although the general observation is that the Dayton Peace Agreement stopped the war and brought peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina, its insufficiencies became apparent through the establishment of an unfunctional state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which aspires to become an EU and NATO member. Development of a rationally organized and functional rule-of-law state is one of the key requirements of its admission into EU. Therefore, the reform of the political organization of BiH is possible only within the framework of fulfillment of conditions for integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into EU membership. The constitutional changes represent the foundation and solution for progress of BiH in all segments of society from which changes in other segments of the BiH society could continue.

Bibliography 2009 (Vol 1, 1/1) – 2013 (Vol 5, 2/9)

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English Issue: 1 (10)/2014

1. Guest views 2. Articles 3. Book reviews 4. Croquis

The Evolution of India-Israel Relations: 1948-2023

Author(s): Aditi Bhaduri / Language(s): English Issue: 13/2023

India-Israel ties follow an interesting trajectory. From India’s refusal to the partition plan of historic Palestine to carve a separate Jewish state in 1948 to the very close bonds that now define bilateral ties, the relationship has come a long way. The recent Hamas-Israel war has put the spotlight on the IndiaIsrael bilateral relationship. India, which while since 1948 had a decidedly pro-Palestinian approach, has also over the decades been cultivating strong and close ties with Israel. These ties have most specifically flourished in defense, but are not restricted to it. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as did many Western leaders, immediately condemned the Hamas attack and later reiterated that the “people of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour.” This pronouncement immediately sparked outraged commentaries, on New Delhi’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Charges were leveled against Modi for a “muscular” foreign and domestic policy, in a bid to emulate Israel’s tactics in the Palestinian Territories, based on a shared “Islamophobia” of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Likud party in Israel. This paper will attempt to unpack India’s evolving relationship with Israel and outline factors driving this relationship and whether these have eroded India’s long-standing position on the Palestinian cause.

Separatism between Russia and the Post-Soviet Space: A Perspective on Power and Norms

Author(s): Jie Li,Lei Zhao / Language(s): English Issue: 13/2023

Since the end of the Cold War, Russia and the West have engaged in fierce geopolitical competition over the post-Soviet space. Separatism in the post-Soviet space has become a hallmark of their relationship, even an accelerator of contradictions. This paper analyzes Russia’s policy evolution towards separatism in the post-Soviet space from the perspective of the interaction between power and norms to grasp the changes in power dynamics and territorial integrity norms in this region.

Circulation of Books, Manuscripts, and Ideas between Hungary and Italy. Cultural Transfers in the Environment of György Klimo, Bishop of Pécs (1751–1777)

Author(s): Ágnes Dóbék / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2024

The period between 1750 and 1800 witnessed a significant transformation in the modernization of Hungarian culture and literature. The members of the ecclesiastical elite, who had completed their studies at the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum in Rome, played a pivotal role in this process; they emerged as key figures in the Catholic renewal upon their return to Hungary following their studies in Rome. Their contributions extended beyond the revitalization of the Hungarian Catholic Church and religious life, encompassing the reconstruction of bishoprics, the establishment of educational institutions and libraries, and the publication and dissemination of both religious and secular literary works. This dissemination of knowledge was also closely intertwined with the influential court in Vienna. On the one hand, the rich heritage of ancient Rome played a crucial role in reshaping the baroque tradition. High-ranking clerics began to take a keen interest in the historical context of their immediate surroundings, initiating local excavations and conducting research in the Vatican Archives. On the other hand, they were greatly influenced by the vibrant culture of contemporary Rome, including Catholic reform efforts, the patronage of the Roman aristocracy, and the volumes of recent Italian literature. This paper explores the cultural influence of Bishop György Klimo of Pécs through an analysis of his correspondence with members of the ecclesiastical aristocracy in Rome and Vienna. Notably, Klimo made significant contributions to the spreading of Ludovico Antonio Muratori’s ideas in Hungary. He also played a pioneering role in disseminating knowledge by being the first among his contemporaries to open his personal library to the public. Furthermore, he commissioned research at the Vatican to compile a comprehensive history of his diocese. By examining Klimo’s endeavors, we gain valuable insights into the transformative influence of Roman culture on the Baroque tradition in Hungary. Moreover, the analysis sheds light on the distinct and organic development of the Italian line within Hungarian culture.

Count Leopold I Berchtold and His Contacts with Great Britain as a Source of Inspiration for His Philanthropic Activities

Author(s): Filip Binder / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2024

This paper deals with the British contacts made by Count Leopold I Berchtold (1759–1809), a prominentphilanthropist from the Czech lands, as well as examining how these contacts influenced his activitiesand the spread of scientific knowledge to the Czech lands and presenting a rather unusual kind of culturaltransfer between Britain and the Habsburg Monarchy involving philanthropism and medical science.The paper is based on the analysis of the sources stored in the Moravian Provincial Archive in Brnorelating to Leopold’s life as well as on the analysis of some of his writings.

Palinodia de la Nephanda y fiera nación de los turcos y de su engañoso arte y cruel modo de guerrear y su traducción veneciana: del enemigo endemoniado al vecino respetado

Author(s): Françoise RICHER-ROSSI / Language(s): Spanish Issue: 3/2021

This paper analyses the different ways the Turk was represented depending on whether one reads the original version written by Spanish author Vasco Diaz Tanco and published in Orense in 1547 or its translation into Italian carried out by Alfonso de Ulloa ⸺a native Spaniard who adopted the Venetian citizenship⸺ and soberly entitled: Libro dell’origini e successione dell’Imperio de’Turchi (1558). It underlines how Alfonso de Ulloa, as a good cultural mediator between Spain and the Republic of Venice, adapted himself to the Venetian context. He fully realized the interest of his fellow countryman’s work, but he also knew that the relationships between Spain and Turkey were very different from those maintained by Venice with her Ottoman neighbours. He had to meet the demands of other readers. Consequently, while the duty of serving the fatherland was never lost sight of, he took pains not to displease the Venetian authorities which would compromise with the Turks for free trade in the Mediterranean. One should remember that ten years later and after negotiating for ten months, in the wake of the attack on Cyprus by the Turks (July 1570) with her governor Marc Antonio Bragadín being tortured in Famagusta, Venice was to form a league with the Spaniards and Pope Pius V. This article, while it considers the political history of the context in which both texts were produced, analyses Alfonso de Ulloa’s deletions from and additions to the original text. As he translated from a book that forcefully stood up for the Christians and attacked the Turks virulently, Alfonso de Ulloa softened the style, used censorship and compensated by praising the Republic of Venice and insisted on her remarkable role on the international scene.

ИНТЕРКУЛТУРАЛИЗАМ ДИМИТРИЈА МИТРИНОВИЋА

Author(s): Dušan Pajin / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 546/2024

На основу сачуваних докумената, видимо да се још од пролећа 1914. Димитрије Митриновић стално залагао за европску свест о заједништву. То се уочава у платформи Аријска Европа коју је написао у то време. Њене главне идеје су, суштински, најава онога што ће у разрађенијем облику бити речено и 1931, у платформи групе Нова Европа, коју ћемо анализирати касније. Наиме, зачеци идеје уједињене Европе јављају се у време Митриновићевог боравка у Минхену, где се повезао са групом европских интелектуалаца који су покушавали да предупреде избијање Првог светског рата, с идејом да окупе европску интелигенцију око циља који су назвали: „Ка будућем човечанству преко аријске Европе”.

AMERIČKA DIPLOMATIJA I POLITIČKI ŽIVOT NA STRANICAMA „GLASA CRNOGORCA” 1873–1914.

Author(s): Ivan Tepavčević,Predrag Adžić / Language(s): Montenegrine Issue: 1/2024

In the Montenegrin newspaper Glas Crnogorca, within the period 1873 - 1914, we found 596 texts that refer to the term America, ranging from Canada to Argentina. The largest number of texts published in the press related to the United States of America, the situation in the country, political and economic conditions, but also to everyday issues, fantastic news. On the pages of Montenegrin newspapers, there were a wide range of topics that journalists dealt with, in order to present America, sometimes in a better, sometimes in a not so bright light.

„Завесата все още е желязна“. Трагичната история на полет 4Х-АКС в международен и български контекст

Author(s): Vanya Mihaylova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2017

The study is devoted to the Israeli plane that was fired by two Bulgarian jet fighters over the Bulgarian airspace on the 27th of July 1955. The main purpose of the author is to present the facts and circumstances associated with the tragic 4X-AKC flight and to examine the causes of the tragic event, the international response and the way it was used for propaganda purposes against both Bulgaria and the Eastern bloc and the USSR. The myths and assumptions concerning the plane crash that are a result of the obscure aspects about the reasons why the Israeli plane entered into the Bulgarian territory and the circumstances demanded for it to be brought down are analyzed. A special attention is paid to the impact of the incident on the relations between Bulgaria and Israel as the main parties in that special case and their diplomatic negotiations in order for the issue about the payment of certain compensation to the families of the victims to be resolved. The involvements of international institutions like the United Nations and the International Court of Justice in an attempt for the problem of the guilt and the compensation due thereunder to be solved are scrutinized. Describing the international situation regarding the opposition and the military rivalry and competition between the representatives of the Eastern and Western blocs just at the time when the accident with the 4X-AKC flight used to happen Vanya Mihaylova reached to the conclusion that the main reason is the specific atmosphere of distrust and mutual suspicion. The death of 58 civilian passengers proved that the negotiations during the Geneva conference in 1955 were an example of a “cold detente” in the context of the hot confrontation and “the curtain was still made o f iron”.

СССР при Юрий Андропов през погледа на френската преса

Author(s): Chaya Koleva / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 4/2024

This article offers an analysis of publications from the popular French daily newspaper Le Monde, where journalists, notably Michel Tatu, Daniel Vernet, and Jacques Amalric, construct the image of the Soviet Union for the French public during the period of Yuri Andropov’s leadership (1982-1984). One of the central themes is Andropov’s personality, blending enthusiasm and hopes for reforms in the Soviet Union with critical assessments by French journalists of his overly strict and ineffective governance. Other key topics include human rights in the USSR, particularly the rights of Soviet Jews, and the perceived threat of Soviet espionage. The analysis reveals how the USSR is depicted as a complex, inefficient mechanism, resistant to reform even with leadership changes that imply a “new dynamic.” The media emphasize the burdensome bureaucratic and administrative apparatus of the Soviet system, alongside the overuse of police and other methods to control the population. The conclusion highlights the persistence of stereotypes that do not always facilitate mutual understanding between the two countries. To a significant extent, French society and its elites distance themselves from an ambiguous and multifaceted perception of the USSR, seeing it, on one hand, as a symbol of totalitarianism, and on the other, as a guardian of socialism. The conviction is reinforced that the communist governance of the USSR, when compared to capitalism, cannot guarantee economic progress or safeguard democracy, freedom, and justice, a sentiment strongly reflected in Le Monde’s portrayal of the country.

Pregovaračke lekcije Džejmsa Bejkera III za neizvesnu budućnost

Author(s): Aleksandar Stanković / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 31/2024

The evolution of negotiation dynamics over time has introduced novel complexities, yet the underlying challenges persist, with power dynamics unequivocally assuming a central role. Abstracting the archetypes of Caesar and the manager and integrating them into negotiation theory has provided insights into the intricate power interplays among stakeholders within the negotiation process itself. A retrospective analysis delves into James Baker’s adept handling of myriad diplomatic challenges he encountered between 1989 and 1992, acting as the direct emissary for the United States’ interests, alongside his nuanced comprehension of negotiation principles. This inquiry aims not only to elucidate contemporary opportunities through positive exemplars but also to underscore enduring universals that remain pertinent and coveted across negotiators within the realm of international diplomacy and politics.

Ana Grama and Ion Lacãtusu - Românii din Arcul Intracarpatic si institutiile lor identitare (sec. XVII–XX) (The Romanians in the Intra-Carpathian Arc and their identity institutions, 17th– 20th centuries)

Author(s): Tatiana Scurtu / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2024

Review of: Ana Grama and Ion Lacãtusu - Românii din Arcul Intracarpatic si institutiile lor identitare (sec. XVII–XX) (The Romanians in the Intra-Carpathian Arc and their identity institutions, 17th– 20th centuries) Edited and foreword by Taiana Scuru Sfântu Gheorghe: Eurocarpatica, 2023.

Руската преселническа политика, българите и Одринският мир от 2 септември 1829 г.

Author(s): Vanya Racheva / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Issue: 1/2012

The last two decades have made Eastern Europeans witnesses and participants in intense migration processes. They carry significant and still under-researched implications both for societies in political, economic and societal transition and for the developed countries receiving the migrant flows. Since 1989, Bulgaria has been no exception to global group or individual population migration, and the numbers from official statistics are telling. For example, in 1990 87 900 Bulgarians emigrated, in 1991 - another 40 300 people, in 1992 the country was left by 68 000 people... On the seventh year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, in 1996, the emigration of Bulgarians continued with almost the same intensity and then 62 000 people left the homeland. Of course, these figures must be supplemented by the hard-to-quantify unofficial emigrants "hidden" behind trips in the form of excursions, brigades, guest work, etc.

Търговските контакти между Флоренция и Мехмед II Завоевателя

Author(s): Ivayla Popova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2025

This study explores the trade relations between Florence and the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Mehmed II the Conqueror (1451–1481). Drawing on various sources, including documents of the Florentine Commune, The Chronicle of Benedetto Dei, travelogues of Western travelers, and accounting records, the study examines both the interactions between Mehmed II and the Medici family and the broader trade relations between the two powers. An analysis of period documents reveals the existence of active political and commercial ties, which intensified during the rule of Lorenzo the Magnificent (1469–1492). Within the context of these trade relations, Florence’s role in the Levant becomes evident, as the city pursued an independent policy aimed at maximizing political and economic advantages from its favorable relations with the Ottoman sultan. This policy occasionally diverged from the plans of other Western states to organize a crusade against the Ottomans.

Дипломация и търговия: хрисовулите на византийските императори за Венеция от ХІІ до ХV век (включително и от времето на Латинската империя)

Author(s): Snezhana Rakova,Galina Galabova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2025

The Republic of Venice received numerous privileges from the Byzantine emperors through chrysobulls issued to them. These official documents were signed by nearly every ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire from the tenth to the fifteenth century. This model of diplomacy and trade regulation was maintained despite significant changes during the Latin Empire and later in Palaeologan Byzantium. The practice was subsequently adopted by the rulers of the Slavic states in the Balkans and later by the Ottomans, who inherited Byzantine traditions. This research examines the commercial clauses within the chrysobulls, supplemented by information from other narrative and documentary sources, to outline the trade relations between Venice and Byzantium. The study traces changes in trade regulations and the types of goods exchanged during three main periods: Komnenian Byzantium, the Latin Empire, and Palaeologan Byzantium, concluding with the fall of the Empire in 1453.

A COMPLICATED CULTURAL RELATIONSHIP: THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN ROMANIA DURING THE CEAUSESCU REGIME

Author(s): Mioara Anton / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2024

The article analyses the little-known dimension of cultural exchanges between socialist Romania and the United Kingdom from the mid-1960s to the late 1980s. It focuses on both the common and the contrasting cultural interests of the governments in London and Bucharest. The article contributes to the growing scholarship on East-West entanglements beyond the Iron Curtain. It highlights the ambiguity of post-war divisions: ideological tensions co-existed with willingness for rapprochement. Drawing on material from British and Romanian archives, this article argues that the dynamics of cultural relations were influenced by a number of factors which, in the long term, created blockages and crises. The contribution shows that the re-opening of the British Council in Romania was seen by the British government as an essential condition for the development of cultural strategies to keep Romanian society connected to the West. In their turn, the regime in Bucharest sought to use cultural exchanges to gain access to new technologies. Moreover, its representatives tried to limit the negative influences that Western cultural trends could have on Romanian society. The ideological freeze of the 1980s brought this cultural encounter to a standstill: the reopening of the British Council in Romania became a moot issue.

В НОВИТЕ БРОЕВЕ НА СПИСАНИЯТА НА ,,АЗ-БУКИ“ ЧЕТЕТЕ

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 5/2024