Russia’s Soft Power Strategies in the MENA Region and Africa

Abstract

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Sahel regions have recently become critical arenas for Russia’s revanchist ambitions. These regions are emerging as a crucial front in the broader contest for influence with the West, serving as testing grounds for Russia’s evolving strategies.

While Russia’s power projection in these regions has relied heavily on hard power, soft power tools and information warfare have been equally vital in shaping elite opinion and public perceptions. These instruments are used in a coordinated manner to manipulate political dynamics and advance Moscow’s interests.

Notably, references to information tactics are present in all major Russian foreign and security policy documents. The 2023 strategic orientation report, Russia’s Policy Towards the World’s Majority, authored by Sergei Karaganov and other foreign policy experts, underscores the importance of maximizing soft power to build alliances with Global South nations and spread persuasive anti-Western narratives through public diplomacy and media channels.

Against this backdrop, this study examines Russia’s use of soft power over the past decade in its relationships with four key countries in the MENA and Sahel regions: Syria, Libya, Mali, and Algeria. The analysis highlights various soft power tools employed by Russia, with a particular focus on strategic narratives and information tactics. It explores how these tools have been adapted to local contexts to advance Moscow’s political objectives and how they have resonated in each country.

The study concludes by drawing key lessons from Russia’s behaviour in these regions and offers policy recommendations for Italian and European policymakers.

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