Glauco D’AGOSTINO Abstract. The issue presented here is a reflection on the complexity of communities living together on the same territory, their origins still defining identity and the political determinants that have affected decisions and behaviours of entire social components. The mul … [Read more...]
SAHEL: LEGITIMACY OF UNCONDITIONAL FORCE OR GLOBAL COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT?
Glauco D’AGOSTINO Abstract. Post-September 11th, with its load of upheaval in international law (weakening of state prerogatives, monopoly of warlike operations, consensus on border violations for real or alleged humanitarian offenses), hostilities have exacerbated and increased instability of the … [Read more...]
BLACK SEA: TOWARDS AREAS OF INFLUENCE ON MOSCOW – ANKARA AXIS?
Glauco D’AGOSTINO Abstract. The USSR and Warsaw Pact breakup led to a new situation, with Romania and Bulgaria joining NATO and the EU, Ukraine and Georgia aspiring to, and Moldova urged by both European and Russian pressures. Meanwhile, a security barrier against NATO has emerged, with the est … [Read more...]
AZERBAIJAN: A TURKIC-SHIITE IDENTITY HANGING ON OIL
Glauco D'AGOSTINO Abstract. Among the three trans-Caucasian republics, Azerbaijan is currently the most challenging, due to its socio-economic, ethnic, religious and geo-political features. Its internal problems remain dysfunctional institutions, corruption of the ruling political class, and a g … [Read more...]
TATARSTAN AND BASHKORTOSTAN: A POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS TEST FOR TSAR PUTIN
Glauco D’AGOSTINO* Summary. The process of institutional centralization launched by Mr. Putin in a Federation currently counting 85 entities (including the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol’) is likely to collide with the self-government aspirations, particularly by the 22 republics, bec … [Read more...]
Architectural Heritage and Symbolic Historic Sites: Negative Effects of Conflicts and Infringements of International Provisions
Glauco D’AGOSTINO În afara unei evidente dezaprobări a războiului şi a efectelor sale adverse, este un tip de inacţiune în recunoaşterea patrimoniului artistic şi a siturilor istorice simbolice drept mijloace de armonie între oameni, exact în spiritul rafinării sentimentului civic şi social pe care … [Read more...]
Architecture in Saudi Arabia: an Exciting Challenge Amidst Traditional Islamic Features and Technological Development
The soul of today Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since its inception just over 80 years ago, has shared the contradictory aspects of tradition and modernity, always hanging between the ethical intransigence of Wahhâbi costumes and the exogenous boost to an astounding technological progress, increasingly … [Read more...]
Arhitectura în Arabia Saudită: o provocare interesantă între caracteristicile tradiţionale islamice şi dezvoltarea tehnologică
Glauco D’AGOSTINO* Rezumat. Spiritul Regatului Arabiei Saudite, încă de la începuturile sale, cu doar 80 de ani în urmă, a împărtăşit aspectele contradictorii ale tradiţiei şi modernităţii, întotdeauna indecis între intransigenţa etică a obiceiurilor Wahhâbi şi susţinerea exogenă spre un progres teh … [Read more...]
Saudi Arabia vs. Iran: Religion, Identity, Legitimacy in a Geo-Political Confrontation
Saudi Arabia-Iran confrontation, while stressing a clear interest in maintaining and expanding territorial control over the huge oil resources, must at least consider the following other factors affecting their behavior: a) a different religious creed (Sunni and Shiite), although within the Muslim … [Read more...]