السياسة الروسية الجديدة في المنطقة العربية : دراسة في أدوات القوة الناعمة و فعاليتها

Abstract EN

This study deals with the status, mechanisms and tools of soft power in the new Russian policy in the Middle East region in general and the Arab region in particular.

And it tried to address and verify its main assumption, which is: the predominance of focus on the dimensions of military hard power, specifically in Russia's interventions and roles in the Middle East and the Arab region, but the analysis showed the use of Russian policy in parallel with soft power tools in its pursuit of its goals.

The study presented the features and reasons for changing the Russian policy towards the issues and problems of the Arab region, by analyzing and explaining the objectives of the new Russian policy in the region; and soft power tools that Russia has adopted to reach its goals; As well as evaluating the effectiveness of each of these tools and indicating the shortcomings and defects in them.

The study was divided into several sections : First; Which included defining the concept of soft power and distinguishing it from concepts mixed with it, such as sharp power and virtual power or electronic power and vital power.

The second section of the study monitored the objectives of the new Russian policy in the Middle East and the Arab region during the period between 2012 and 2020.

the presentation of the third section; The Russian perception of soft power tools, which is closely related to the vision and ideas of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in addition to the pressures of the international and regional environments.

The last section of the study presented the development of Russia’s position and ranking on the soft power scale in the period between 2016 and 2019.

The conclusion revealed the existence of several obstacles and restrictions on the effectiveness of the soft power tools of the new Russian policy in the Middle East region in general and with the Arab countries in particular.

However, the new Russian policy was able, through the good use of soft power tools, to achieve some achievements, the most important of which are: the success of soft power tools, especially those related to attracting and settling joint investments in the energy and arms industry sectors; restoring the positive image of Russia among Arab youth in contrast to the decline or weakness of the image of the United States in 2015 and 2016, respectively, according to several public opinion polls in some Arab countries; This indicates the success of Russian foreign policy endeavors during the era of Vladimir Putin in the Middle East in reshaping Arab attitudes towards Russia, thus enhancing its position as the largest international ally in the region at present and in the near future.