The bear's paws in the desert: Russia and the new geopolitics of the Sahel
Abstract
This paper explores Russia's irruption into the Sahel as a fundamental part of its geopolitical strategy of confrontation with the West. Through the analysis of Russian intervention in the region, it examines how the Kremlin has used hybrid tools, to expand its influence and challenge the Western presence, particularly that of France. The research also analyzes the ineffectiveness of the European strategy in the Sahel and the significant implications of Russian intervention for regional and global security. The results indicate that the Russian intervention is not only aimed at resource control and expansion of its influence but is also part of a broader strategy of border revisionism and destabilization of the established international order. The Russian presence in the Sahel has exacerbated the militarization of conflicts and complicated international efforts to stabilize the region.
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