Упрощенная HTML-версия
Author : R. Khasbulatov
Head, World Economics Department, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Corresponding Mem-
ber of the Russian Academy of Sciences
THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS JOURNAL
has done the right thing by publishing an article by
Prof. Yury Piskulov, Doctor of Economics (Yu.
Piskulov. Along the Road Laid in Helsinki. No. 5,
2015), devoted to the 40th anniversary of the Con-
ference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
(CSCE). At that time, the painstaking and produc-
tive work of its participants was capped with suc-
cess - the 1975 Final Act. I did not say "the right
thing" by accident. Strangely enough, the anniversary of this unique event in modern European
(as well as in global) political history passed almost unnoticed in the world media.
"Forty years later, the CSCE has not lost its appeal or relevance," Dr. Piskulov points out in his
book. The author, a major specialist on economics and politics, stresses the outstanding role that
was played by President of Finland Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, who demonstrated an international-
level politician's approach towards the challenging task (including his work behind the scenes)
of organizing the conference and ensuring its successful completion.
In his book, Yu. Piskulov expounds on the ideas of European cooperation. From the position
of an expert on world economics, a theoretician and practitioner, he addresses the roots of the
current conflict and passes judgment on the present and future of Russia-West relations, the
breakup of the unipolar world order led by the U.S. and the American attempts to prevent its
transformation into a multipolar world. The author talks about the West's dashed dreams to see
Russia as its obedient junior partner, its anti-Russian course and its rejection of Putin's inde-
pendent Russia. It is important to note the realistic analysis and the in-depth assessment of
events, including the information and "hybrid" wars that the West has unleashed against Russia,
as well as the paradox of the confrontation between politicians and the striving of European
and Russian business circles for real integration. The author examines the new globalization "U.S.
style" that the United States is trying to implement through the establishment of global partner-
ships: a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with Europe and a Trans-Pacific Part-
nership with Asia - to the detriment of Russia and China.
I would also like to note the part of the work that looks into the causes and consequences of
the unprecedented Western information war against Russia.
In spite of its small size (just 75 pages), the book is highly substantive, packed with interesting
new facts; it offers the author's original vision and relies on solid research. In particular, it contains
100 references to primary sources. This effect is achieved due to the author's incontestable "com-
http://interaffairs.ru
A Breakthrough to European Peace, Security and Cooperation:
Dashed Hopes