The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the brutal conflict in the Middle East and, most importantly, the increasingly acute confrontation of China and the United States sharply increased the likelihood of a new global conflict, and the issues brought into the headings no longer look like a celebrated fantasy. But who, how and why begins wars and what can be done to prevent them? Scientists and analysts have two answers to this question.

Mortgage lending in Russia fell by almost 20% in October, the first result of efforts by the Russian economic authorities to curb inflation. However, this reduction falls short as the volume of preferential loans remains at a high level. The surge in interest rates has led to a fourfold increase in budgetary expenses to compensate for the difference between the subsidised and market rates, along with the rising cost of housing.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the violent conflict in the Middle East, and, most importantly, the escalating tensions between China and the United States have significantly increased the likelihood of a new global conflict. The questions posed in the headlines no longer seem like idle fantasy. But who starts wars? And, how, and why do they begin, and what can be done to prevent them? Scientists and analysts offer two answers to this question.

Europe is losing influence in Africa and the Middle East, losing ground to competition from Russia, China, and several other nations. While the significance of the African continent grows, it is becoming increasingly evident that the West lacks a comprehensive African policy and is not prepared to provide the region with what it needs. Western countries have actively battled terrorist cells in the region but have failed to address its deep-seated internal political conflicts.

Europe is losing influence in Africa and the Middle East, losing competition to Russia, China and a number of other states. While the African continent is growing in importance, it is becoming increasingly clear that the West does not have a systematic African policy and is not prepared to give the region what it needs. Western countries actively fought terrorist cells in the region, but were unable to resolve the deep internal political contradictions inherent in it.

The volume of mortgage loans issued in Russia fell by almost 20% in October, and this is the first result of the efforts of the Russian economic authorities to curb inflation. But this is not enough - the volume of soft loans issued is still at high levels. Due to the increase in rates, budget expenses to compensate for the difference between the preferential rate and the market rate have also increased fourfold, as well as the cost of housing itself.