Russian Influence on Egyptian narratives
In a world increasingly polarized by geopolitical rivalries, Russia's quest to bolster its influence within the Arab world and Africa is both strategic and opportune. At the epicenter of this push lies Egypt, a nation historically intertwined with Russia and one that now finds itself navigating a complex web of economic needs, strategic alliances, and political narratives.
Since President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's ascension to power in 2014, Egypt has witnessed a significant deepening of its ties with Russia. A close bond between President Sisi and President Vladimir Putin has been solidified, marked notably by a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2018 that spans military, security, trade, and economic cooperation. This bond is not merely diplomatic; it is also transactional. Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer, has long been dependent on grain from Russia, a reliance that has only intensified as conflict with Ukraine has sent global food prices soaring.
Caption: A promise is a fulfillment
Egypt receives 63 thousand tons of wheat from Russia after President Putin promised to deliver the wheat to the Egyptian Supply Commodities Authority
In the shadow of these tensions, a "Weapons for Wheat" deal has emerged. Egypt's economy, burdened by foreign debt and the escalating cost of food, finds reprieve in a strategic exchange with Russia, selling arms to secure the wheat that feeds its population.
Caption: Russia saves Egypt from an American-Zionist plan to withhold wheat from the Egyptian people to starve them.
The Russian state said it prevented this plan and supported Egypt with wheat deals and personally honored the distribution of wheat to Africa.
#Egypt announces its withdrawal from the #Grain_Agreement, from which #Russia also withdrew from.
Caption: RT: how did Russia save Egypt from and American-European plan regarding Egypt’s security.
Caption: Russian Embassy in Egypt: The Americans and Europeans failed to disrupt the supply of Russian wheat to Egypt, and despite what I said about the obstacles created by the West, and even on the contrary, these supplies were completed and could reach 8 million tons.
Moreover, Egypt's willingness to supply arms to Russia, including a deal which was denied by Egypt to sell 40,000 shells to Russia, and an accepted proposal to sell helicopter motor engines, highlights the military dimension of this relationship.
Further cementing their economic bonds, Russia has invested significantly in Egyptian infrastructure, including a $28.5 billion nuclear power plant financed largely through a Russian loan. Projects like the Russian Industrial Zone in East Port Said and the collaboration to upgrade the Egyptian railway network reflect ambitions that stretch beyond mere economic transactions, aiming to reshape the region's industrial and logistical landscapes.
Caption: Russia news: Russia is building a giant nuclear project in Arab Egypt
This project is the most important in the modern era, serving Egypt and the region and developing it in the nuclear field.
This is the Dabaa nuclear plant
Amidst these developments, President Sisi leverages the rift between the United States and Russia, a rift reminiscent of the Cold War's chessboard, to Egypt's advantage. This strategic positioning is reflected in Sisi's audacious military dealings with Russia, seemingly undeterred by potential repercussions from Egypt's largest trading partner, the United States, which provides $1.3 billion in aid annually.
The narratives spun within this geopolitical theater are manifold. Russian media outlets, notably RT Arabic and Sputnik, have found a receptive audience in Egypt, with RT Arabic becoming one of the most trafficked news website in the country.
Caption: Sputnik-AR’s visits in Egypt over a 2-year period
Caption: RT-AR’s visits in Egypt over a 2-year period
Caption: Nabd’s (Pro Russian Arabic outlet) visits in Egypt over a 2-year period
These channels serve as conduits for narratives that promote anti-American sentiment, decry Western abandonment of Ukraine, and question the efficacy of sanctions against Russia. They weave tales of American decline and spread disinformation that blames the West for the increasing global food crisis.
The specter of the Soviet era looms as well, with Russia reviving cooperation reminiscent of past alliances.
This cooperation extends into the realm of information warfare, with Egypt's Middle East News Agency, MENA, and Al-Ahram, the country's venerable news outlet, entering agreements to amplify Russian broadcasting across both nations. Such media partnerships preceded an explosion in the popularity of RT Arabic, now a cornerstone of Russia's narrative strategy in Egypt.
On the military front, Egypt's portfolio of arms purchases from Russia has been substantial, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reporting that 60 percent of Egypt's arms acquisitions between 2014 and 2017 were sourced from Russia. Politically, Moscow's early support for the 2013 revolution against the Muslim Brotherhood and the subsequent labeling of the group as a terrorist organization have been pivotal in aligning Cairo with Moscow.
Yet, Egypt's foreign policy remains a balancing act. President Sisi's navigation through international waters has been marked by a keen desire to maintain amicable relations with global states, signaling no overt conflict with Western interests despite the growing intimacy with Russia.
As Russia maneuvers to assert its influence, and Egypt positions itself as a strategic ally, the media becomes the battleground where narratives are contested, and public opinions are shaped. In this complex dance of power and perception, Egypt emerges not merely as a participant but as a keen strategist, leveraging its unique position to navigate the currents of geopolitical influence. The question that remains is not of the presence of Russian narratives within Egypt but of the extent to which these narratives will chart the course of Egypt's future on the global stage.
Narratives pushed by Russian influencers and media outlets:
1. Anti-American and Anti-West Sentiments:
- Russian narratives in Egypt are promoting anti-American and anti-West sentiments.
- They suggest that the United States is engaged in global conflict and the West has abandoned Ukraine.
2. Economic Narratives:
- Claims are being made that Western economic sanctions against Russia are ineffective.
https://www.youtube.com/@egychanal
https://www.youtube.com/@SummaryEgypt
- Russia is propagating the narrative that the West is responsible for the food crisis, deflecting from Russia’s own role.
Caption: RT: how did Russia save Egypt from and American-European plan regarding Egypt’s security.
3. Military and Political Narratives:
- Russia is promoting its military and weapon supremacy in the region.
- Russia is pushing support for Khalifa Haftar in Libya, aligning with the stance of the Egyptian regime.
- Narratives of Russian solidarity with Gaza and against the displacement of Gazans into Egypt are being pushed.
caption: Russianowarabic: Russian President Putin comments on Tel Aviv's calls to displace Palestinians to Sinai in Egypt.
- Claims of a secret agenda behind Putin’s visit to the UAE, purportedly to support Egypt against Israeli plans.
Caption: A Russian-Egyptian plan may end the war on Gaza Will Putin succeed in his visit to the Arab region?
Caption: "Story Summary" Putin was carrying two messages and coordination in his visit to the Gulf today: The first message: Egypt and Iran. 2/ Military and very important for the two countries🔞 As for the coordination of some files, the most important of which is the Kuwait file.. Coordination has been made regarding Kuwait, and my president’s visit today to Moscow is to arrange the file between them 🤫 Bye bye Hangu
Caption: Putin said the words of President #Sisi, which is that as long as we are together, no one will ever be able to defeat us, or no one will ever defeat us 😎🇪🇬🔥 🔥President #Sisi and Putin are literally playing with the world and pitting America against each other 😎 #Long live _ Egypt _ and _ live _ Sisi
4. Economic and Trade Cooperation:
- Russia is emphasizing beneficial investments and trade with Egypt, including the cooperation in manufacturing Russian weapons.
- Recent economic dealings between Egypt and Russia have raised concerns about potential U.S. sanctions against Egypt.
Caption: RTarabic: The Egyptian Minister of Military Production talks to RT about Egypt’s manufacturing of the most powerful weapons
#RT #Egypt #Egyptian_Army #Russia_Today #Weapons
5. Revival of Historical Ties:
- Narratives are aiming to revive the Soviet-era cooperation with Egypt.
6. Geopolitical Influence:
- Promotion of the BRICS bloc's rise, with a narrative that includes Egypt's role in this emerging power configuration.
7. Media Influence:
- Russian state media channels, particularly Sputnik and RT Arabic, are utilized to disseminate these narratives, leveraging their large following base in Egypt.
