RIAC Experts Discussed the Chances for “Soft Power” in “Arab Spring” Countries
Short version
The Russian International Affairs Council on 13 November 2012 held a conference entitled “Russia and the ‘Arab Spring’ countries: chances for ‘soft power’ and traditional instruments of cooperation”. The event was organized within the project “The Middle East: Political Dynamics and Russia’ Interests”.
Full version
The Russian International Affairs Council on 13 November 2012 held a conference entitled “Russia and the ‘Arab Spring’ countries: chances for ‘soft power’ and traditional instruments of cooperation”. The event was organized within the project “The Middle East: Political Dynamics and Russia’ Interests”.
The conference was attended by members of Russia’s Council of the Federation, the U.S. and Canadian Studies Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Moscow Carnegie Center, Rusia al-Yaum TV Channel, and Center for Strategies and Technologies Analyses. The moderator was Dr. Alexandr Shumilin, head of the Center for Middle East Conflicts Analyses at the U.S. and Canadian Studies Institute. RIAC Deputy Program Director Timur Makhmutov opened the meeting.
In the course of the meeting, experts discussed political priorities and foreign policy orientations of the new elites in the “Arab spring” countries, and prospects for Russia’s “soft power” and application of traditionally established official instruments of cooperation in the region. Participants also exchanged opinions concerning the first results of work to compile the final analytical report.