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This third article examines such genres of cinema as war films, detectives and comedies the latest in the line of Arctic films. Thereby we draw a line under Arctic films, that have not received due attention from film critics and the public until now. The need to return to the past to take a fresh look at the solar, including its storyboard, taking into account the deep rethinking of the war and the direct depiction of what was experienced, to show a truthful and accurate image of the war on the example of the fate of one or many of its participants. Cinematographers constantly return to the theme of the war, its individual episodes, the people who took part in it, who noted their heroism in it, its new reading caused by changing socio-political views and access to previously censored circumstances, what is now called «trench truth».«Another war» in pleacetime was reflected in the Arctic detectives. The enemy appears in them as criminal elements, sometimes was sophisticated and insidious plans, which in the conditions of the north require a special approach to solve then. Comedies have no geographical boundaries. Humor and laughter in the snow and ice is special, very often associated with the behavior of animals, especially dogs.

The article examines Arctic thrillers, action films and fantasy films. Presented kaleidoscope of horror, drama, thriller, science fiction and action films, with all its plot differences, is united by almost a single location, the Arctic north. Against his background, all maginable and unimaginable events occur. It enhances or weakens the role of what is happening with its whiteness, making the viewer’s screen even whiter. This is an artistic space in which characters are placed and actions, are performed. The silence of the Arctic is its action. The films reviewed are extremely different, responding to the spirit of the time when they were filmed. Their placement about genres is conditional since they all have a cinematic hybridity. Each tape combines all kinds of genres under consideration. We tried to correlate a number of films with temporary political-social processes.

The second part of the article is devoted to the consideration of two genres of Arctic fi lms — animal (faunal) and adventure. The basis for their implementation on the screen was Russian America, Alaska — the cinematic state of Hollywood, Chukotka and the Far North of Russia. The Arctic with its boundless snow-ice expanses and mythological obscurity forced its conquerors to seek and rely on a faithful friend — a dog — Siberian husky, husky, Alaskan malamute. As the polar explorer Robert Peary wrote, «life here is dog’s, but the work is worthy of a real person». Almost all the scripts of animal science fi lms are, borrowed from the literary works of the classics of the North — Jack London and James Curwood. Dogs and animals of the North have become full-fl edged actors of these fi lms. One of the pillars of the Arctic fi lms is adventures, including man’s struggle with the harsh nature of the Arctic, the formation of a new life for the indigenous peoples of the North, the search for missing expeditions and individuals — hunters, pilots, extreme athletes.

The article deals with the role of hydrocarbon resources in the Mediterranean Sea. The discovery of oil and gas deposits in this region in recent decades has significantly increased its role in the energy security of Europe. Due to the transformation of the world energy map, the Mediterranean region has been the focus of attention of many European states. At the same time, a large number of projects on promising fields, as well as the laying of new oil and gas pipelines have been developed. The implementation of many pipeline projects can dramatically change the European gas market, which is of great interest to many countries In addition, the European gas market is under extreme pressure because of the supply of liquefied natural gas, and its volume is gradually increasing. This means that in the long term the development of hydrocarbon resources can significantly enhance the role of the Mediterranean and affect the development of the European oil and gas market.

In the second half of the XIX century . Russia pursued an active policy in the Central Asian khanates, firmly determined to move its border beyond a wide strip of deserts and semi-deserts. At the same time, the rivalry between the Russian and British Empires for influence and control over the Central Asian khanates unfolded. It was a political, diplomatic and geopolitical duel, the so-called “Big Game”, in which intelligence played one of the main roles. To fulfill the tasks facing the intelligence, Russia has attracted scientific historical-geographical and military-topographic expeditions under the auspices of the Imperial Russian Geographical Society (IRGO). It was they who at the end of the XIX century. In a certain part became one of the main activities of the IRGO.The best officers of the General Staff were attracted to participate in them. It was their heroic efforts that made it possible to fill in the gaps in the knowledge of Central Asia and, especially, its western part of Uyguria (East Turkestan) and Inner Mongolia.In recent decades, due to the geopolitical processes that are taking place in the Eurasian space, historical, geographical achievements that have become world-wide have again attracted attention. Again, we have to hear about a new “Big Game” that takes place for the same values — resources, territories, trade routes. The tasks and political and technological methods of conducting geopolitical rivalry have changed. However, gratitude should remain in memory for having contributed to the implementation of the foreign policy of the Russian Empire by conducting intelligence research of the expanses of Central Asia.

The Mediterranean Sea consisting of numerous seas is enclosed by three continents — Europe, Asia and Africa. It is a specific phenomenon in terms of geography, oceanology and world history. This is the only place in the world where many cultures and civilizations mutually enriching each other and giving to the world the benchmarks for development have appeared and alternated. As E. Bradford wrote “Each part of the Mediterranean Sea is really specific. One is apt to violence, other is more serene, the third is prone to periodical outbursts of fervor, the fourth is dangerous and unpredictable as schizophrenic.” The therapy of nature and man that lasted for many centuries has played its positive role having turned the Mediterranean into the center of trade, fishery and tourism. The countries surrounding the sea (there are twenty-one of them) are well described and well known that is why we concentrate on eleven water areas each of which makes a part in the general Mediterranean Sea puzzle.The factor of the sea improves our perception of the land-sea interface and this can be described in such comprehensive scientific and popular publication as encyclopedia. Today when Russia with all its navy power returns to the World Ocean, in particular to the Mediterranean, using its renovated Mediterranean fleet the extension of navigation knowledge in this water area which had always been in the focus of tsars, emperors and presidents of Russia becomes a very important factor.

In such country as Israel with its high industrialization and urbanization rates the environment protection is of key importance for preserving the biodiversity of nature. Awareness of the need to protect precious natural resources and landscapes of Israel forced to pass numerous laws on protection of nature and wild animals. These laws provide legal basis for protection of environment, natural resources, wild animals, unique nature features and places being of scientific and educational value in this country.Israel locates at the juncture of three continents combining different climatic and botanical regions which have led to appearance of the unique, by diversity and composition, plant and animal world. In Israel you can find 2800 plant varieties (of which 150 are endemics), 8 species of amphibia, 80 species of reptiles, 450 species of birds and 70 species of mammals. For protection of natural biodiversity there were established 224 nature preserves and 203 and historical heritage deserves special mention.In the recent years the governmental and public organizations have focused on development of the programs on environment management for monitoring and ensuring the required quality of water and air and for processing and utilization of solid wastes.Quite spectacular achievements are observed in reintroduction of predatory and bible species, protection of sea turtles, impoundment of the Hula valley and preservation of migratory birds. The government’s initiatives were welcomed by the public that joined in national parks which cover around 23% of the territory of Israel. The nature preserves and national parks represent the whole range of the natural heritage of Israel: Mediterranean forests, coastal and water landscapes, sand dunes, desert and crater landscapes and oases, while the unique archeological these activities. The environmental education, awareness and activities of the society have increased enormously which is proved by the growing number of nongovernmental environmental organizations — from a few in the 1990s to over one hundred nowadays. The greater attention is paid to collection and publication of environmental data.

Central Asia is the territory connecting Europe, Near East, South and East Asia. This is a bridge between East and West, the cross-road of civilizations, one of the key geopolitical regions that has acquired special importance after breakup of the Soviet Union. However, this is also the unstable region, a tough player threatening world peace. Central Asia locates in complicated natural and climatic conditions where the key and vital natural resource is water which requires, on the one hand, its saving and, on the other, the permanent search for possibilities to increase its reserves.This is the region with the world’s highest rate of population growth — to 2.0 % per annum. At present the population of Central Asia without Afghanistan is 70.6 million and with Afghanistan 105.2 million.The uneven distribution of water resources over the territory and their insufficiency, the constantly growing water consumption lead to the competitive demand for water at the national and regional levels. The water deficit and deterioration of water quality are the serious challenges which have been faced by many regional countries. The key issue determining the internal stability in the region was and still remains the water-energy balance.

The recent decades have witnessed sweeping changes in the modern global policy and international relations: some countries reinforce their geopolitical positions and economic capacity, while others lose their leading role. However, all states are united in their endeavor to use new mechanisms in asserting their foreign policy issues or make use of the tools that have been developed by some countries through centuries.One of the popular tools to ensure security of the state borders which have been on great demand in the last several decades is building of protective structures on the borders between countries. And about 50 countries have already obtained certain experience in this area applying high technologies and most advanced engineering solutions in implementation of such projects. Such changed approaches to pursuance of foreign policy objectives may be associated with diffusion movement of people caused by military, political and ethnoreligious conflicts, food shortage, climate changes, growing terrorism, crime, corruption, etc.The driving motive here was and still remains the protection of national security and economic interests, curbing the illegal migration, supply of arms and drugs, transboundary terrorism. Construction of protective walls, barriers and fences reflects the level of political relationships among the countries and the level of their economic capabilities with the help of which the states are seeking to stop completely, to revise or drastically restrict bilateral relations.It is not an easy task to assess efficiency of the constructed walls and barriers, and the more so in the face of complex issues existing in bilateral relations. The experience of some countries in implementation of major protection-and-defense projects has shown that they succeed in decreasing the illegal migrant flow, penetration of terrorists, arresting the arms and drugs circulation. However, in general, these efforts within the frame of bilateral relations are a hindrance to development of cooperation between the states reflecting at the same time their inability to settle the arising contradictions on the basis of the international law.

This chapter considers the approaches and possibilities of exploration and use of shale gas in the countries of the former USSR. Many of them became interested in the results of the US “shale revolution” which opened the new stage in gas production. Some post-Soviet countries are eager by using shale gas to reduce their dependence on external deliveries, thus, attaining energy independence.The data on shale gas reserves in the post-Soviet countries are taken together; the preliminary results of energy policy in these countries concerning development of the shale gas deposits are presented; the first results of oil and gas company activities are analyzed.Of all post-Soviet countries, Ukraine was most active in this respect having declared about possessing the greatest shale gas reserves. Ukraine invited foreign oil and gas companies which showed interest in the shale deposits. But the shale gas production in Ukraine acquired political dimensions impeding the objective assessment of startup conditions and likely consequences of shale gas extraction for the people and natural environment. Shale gas was in the focus of attention of the authorities in Kazakhstan and Moldavia which considered this hydrocarbon resource as the significant factor for diversification of hydrocarbon supply and ensuring independence of the Russian gas. “Shale revolution” was not neglected in Russia which had to take into account the shale gas factor in the world energy balance adjusting its policy respectively. USA made attempt to push its shale contracts in Russia, thus, ensuring access to the Russian gas market. On the one hand, Russia remained indifferent to the shale boom and went on implementation of its pipeline projects, but, on the other hand, it does not waive off absolutely the potential of this hydrocarbon resource.In general, the post-Soviet countries regardless of the lack of a legislative base, technologies and unresolved environmental issues have shown certain interest in shale gas production.

The Caspian Sea is the intercontinental, international, transboundary enclosed inland water body. It receives flows of such large rivers as Volga, Ural, Terek, Kura, and Sefidrud. The Caspian is highly dynamic. In view of its unique behavior, precisely the water level fluctuations, the research of not only these processes and their forecast, but careful study of the design and engineering solutions were required here because the results of such researches determine the social and economic development of the coastal areas.The Caspian became the focus of attention usually at the times when the period of its level drop changed over for its rise (or vice versa). It is in these periods that the “critical mass” of the gradually accumulating environmental, social and economic consequences of any kind should find “outlet”. In other words, the need “to save the Caspian” and “to be saved from the Caspian” appeared. In the past decades, till 1930, the economic activities in the Caspian region, such as oil production, shipping, fishery, lifestyle of the local population got adapted to the existing level of the Caspian Sea. The first level drop in the Caspian in the 1930s was the first alarming and even shocking bell that stirred anxiety for its future. At the same time, the change of the Caspian level has incurred considerable damage.This situation forced the riparian states to develop various projects aimed to take into consideration the Caspian level fluctuations and, simultaneously, to stabilize its level. Many suggested solutions were of a global scale and were not realizable. Moreover, the developers of practically all projects did not understand properly the significance of these processes, thus, inadequate assessment of their consequences. And, finally, many proposals concerning development of the riparian territories with regard to the Caspian level fluctuations could lead to serious environmental disturbances that would entail negative consequences in the following decades.

The Great Silk Road (GSR) called so in the late 19th century by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen started shaping in the 2nd century B.C. In the minds of peoples the Silk Road is a generalized symbol of trade caravan routes crossing Central Asia, connecting until the 16th century the Far East, in particular Japan, China, with Middle Asia. Appearance in the early 21st century of new independent states in Central Asia along the GSR route was a powerful impetus for revival of the ancient trade route. In September 2013 Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, during his visit to the Central Asian countries offered the strategic concept of joint construction of the “economic corridor along the Silk Road” based on innovative cooperation in order to revive and consolidate the economic contacts among the Eurasian countries. Establishment of the modern analog of GSR, a powerful transport and pipeline corridor includes the integrated system of railroads and automobile roads, oil and gas pipelines, airlines, and sea lines.

After establishment of the Soviet power the Arctic for seven decades had been in the focus of attention accomplishing the heroic, repressive, “educational”, economic, political and ideological functions. In 1930-1950 General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Communist Party I.V. Stalin created the first Soviet Arctic shield that included the economic and military strategic power, transport targeted to protection of entirety and security of the Soviet country. The Stalin’s large-scale project of Arctic development was made public in 1931 and was targeted to the enhanced protection of the polar waters by establishing the naval base on the Barents Sea. For implementation of this project the White Sea-Baltic canal was constructed. The Trust “Arktikugol” was established on the Spitsbergen Archipelago to supply coal to the Northern Navy Fleet. The sea expedition over the Northern Sea Route was also organized to prove the possibility of shipping along this route for one navigation season. Upon its successful completion the Chief Department “Sevmorput” was set up here. The epoch of airship construction was opened to explore the Arctic air expanses. Later on there were expeditions to the North Pole, deployment of army on the Chukotka Peninsula, new expeditions to high latitude terrains, construction of high-capacity icebreakers, aerodromes and military bases on the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Unfortunately, in the 1990s in the time of the Soviet Union breakup and perestroika many facilities of the Stalin’s Arctic Shield had been lost and ceased to exist.The early 21st century witnessed the second energetic and goal-oriented breakthrough into the Arctic region and establishment of the second Arctic Shield or bastion based on the key principles of the Soviet Arctic Shield or, in other words, its upgrade in the new conditions of the polycentric world, which is justly connected with the name of Russian President Putin.The interest to the Arctic was revived after V.V. Putin was elected in 2000 the RF President and this was observed against the sharp changes in the political and economic situation in the country. The underlying stimuli were the opening of large offshore hydrocarbon fields in the Arctic seas and global climate warming. From this time on when the interest to the Arctic was on the rise again the attitude of the Russian president and government to this region had changed enormously. Putin personally keep in the focus of his attention all Arctic issues. One of the strategic goals of the policy formulated by Putin is apparently the revival of the Russian Arctic, creation of own Arctic Shield understanding quite clearly that this would require construction anew of the great part of the Arctic infrastructure. This publication investigates in detail the steps of V.V. Putin taken for development of the Arctic ways.

The Great Silk Road existed more than 2000 years and has played an important role in the development of civilizations and trade and economic relations. New geopolitical conditions that have emerged over the last decades in Central Asia, and the increasing role of China in the world economy have come to understand the need of reviving the Great Silk Road.

In the given article there are viewed the main stages of contemporary Russian politics in the Arctic and analyzed the main problems that Russia faces in realization of its interests in this region. Special attention is paid to the Russia’s approaches to solving of the key problems of the region such as international regime and the prospects of production of carbohydrates in the Arctic.