Russia’s Influence Strategies in North Africa: Hybrid Warfare and Soft Power Approaches in Libya and Algeria

Description

Over the past decade, the MENA and Sahel regions have become key arenas for Russia’s expanding influence. While often associated with hard power, Moscow’s strategy also relies on hybrid warfare and soft power, including propaganda and disinformation campaigns, to shape
narratives, influence public opinions and support preferred actors. These strategies are very effective in fragmented conflict countries but work less well in more stable political systems, where the scope for intervention is constrained. Consequently, in the latter countries Moscow relies primarily on traditional forms of interstate cooperation, with more limited results. This article examines how these hybrid strategies operate in Libya and Algeria, highlighting their differences and effectiveness.