Russia in Africa: resurgent great power or bellicose pretender?

Intro -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- Introduction: Setting the Stage -- 1. The Tumultuous 1990s: A Lost Decade for Russian Geopolitical Influence in Africa -- 2. The Dawn of Russia's Resurgence in Africa: 2000-08 -- 3. The Medvedev Interregnum: The Consolidation of Russia's Ambitions in Africa -- 4. Russia's Anti-Western Tilt in Africa -- 5. Russia Rebuilds Its Influence in North Africa -- 6. Russia Becomes a Continent-Wide Great Power -- 7. Russia's New Power Projection Tactics in Africa -- 8. Russia's Africa Policy in the Age of COVID-19 -- 9. New Frontiers of Russian Security Policy in Africa -- 10. The Ukraine War and Russia's Africa Strategy -- Postscript: A Look Ahead -- Notes -- Index -- Back Cover.

Three decades after the Soviet Union's collapse, Russia has transformed from a fringe player to a resurgent great power in Africa. The October 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi highlighted the appeal of Russia's normative agenda, the ubiquity of Russian military technology, and the breadth of Moscow's presence on the continent. Beneath the pageantry, a darker side of Russia's African resurgence looms large. From Libya to Madagascar, Russia has used sinister tactics to expand its influence, such as private military contractors, shadowy mining and energy deals with authoritarian regimes, and election interference campaigns. This book presents a chronological examination of Russia's post-Cold War foreign policy towards Africa, and outlines the factors that have enabled and impeded the growth of its influence.

Three decades after the Soviet Union's collapse, Russia has transformed from a fringe player to a resurgent great power in Africa. The October 2019 Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi highlighted the appeal of Russia's normative agenda, the ubiquity of Russian military technology, and the breadth of Moscow's presence on the continent. Beneath the pageantry, a darker side of Russia's African resurgence looms large. From Libya to Madagascar, Russia has used sinister tactics to expand its influence, such as private military contractors, shadowy mining and energy deals with authoritarian regimes, and election interference campaigns. This book presents a chronological examination of Russia's post-Cold War foreign policy towards Africa, and outlines the factors that have enabled and impeded the growth of its influence. It pays special attention to the non-material factors behind this rising power; the domestic drivers of Russian decision-making; Moscow's relationships with fellow external powers; and African perspectives on Russia's geopolitical role. Samuel Ramani's analysis cites extensively both Russian-language media and academic sources, and his own interviews with Russian and African elites. His fascinating study challenges popular depictions of Russia as an opportunistic anti-Western actor, instead emphasising Moscow's strategic commitment to Africa and the endurance of historical memory.