How Kremlin uses culture for propaganda in the Middle East
Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova visited Bahrain to open the “Russian Seasons” and organize a “Russian Film Festival.”
▫️ This visit is part of the Kremlin’s broader effort to promote Russian culture in the Middle East—one of the key tools used in its propaganda and disinformation campaigns.
Beyond Bahrain, Russia has stepped up its “cultural cooperation” with other countries in the region. RT documentaries are being distributed in Egypt and Algeria, while in Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, and other nations, “Russian Houses” actively organize screenings of Russian films and other “cultural events.”
Despite claims of “cultural diplomacy,” the true goal of these initiatives is to shape public opinion in the region in Russia’s favor, justify its war against Ukraine, spread anti-Western sentiment, and strengthen Moscow’s influence in the Middle East.
