The section examines the colonial history of Asia and Africa, as well as key periods and directions of colonization. The authors analyze the features of the colonial political systems, processes of power distribution, the relationships between colonies and metropolis. Particular attention is paid to the strengthening of Asia and Africa in the final period of colonialism, as well as the impact of the Second World War and a new system of international relations on the process of decolonization.

The section assesses the processes of decolonization and the emergence of independent states in the second half of the XX century. A detailed analysis of the roots of decolonization and the nature of this process makes it possible to draw some conclusions about its effects, including political splits in yesterday colonies (i.e. Korea, China, India) and an increasing role of Asia and Africa in international relations. In addition, the section pays special attention to the major political developments in Asia and Africa, with regionalization among them.

Modern world is experiencing further geo-economic diversification of economic growth. The task of this section is to consider the implications of this process for political and economic development of Asia and Africa. What are the trends of socio-economic development in these countries? What are the key features of the relations between the North and the South nowadays? What role does modernization play in Asia and Africa? This section also analyzes the process of regionalization in the macro-region.

The authors analyze the influence of cultural and civilizational differences between developing and developed countries. The Asian and African states are building their own alternative models of democracy and modernization, which largely contradict the individualistic Western paradigm. The section studies contemporary challenges which threaten security of the countries in Asia and Africa, to wit: terrorism, ethnic and religious conflicts, demographic and environmental challenges, energy security.

The purpose of the section is to analyze the latest developments in the military and political sphere in East Asia, taking into account a wide range of challenges. The authors also analyze the role of regional organizations, processes of regionalization and regionalism in East Asia, as well as the development of interregional relations of various association and key countries of the region.

The section is devoted to the comparative analysis of Russian and foreign Oriental studies, their similarities and differences, as well as to the analysis of the methodology used by historians and political scientists in the study of modern political process in Asia and Africa. The authors also explain the differences between Western and non-Western societies, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the analytical and spatial approaches to building typology of Eastern regions.