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In official discourse, Russia today presents itself as a natural partner of the Global South and as a defender of a multipolar world order in opposition to what it describes as Western dominance. This narrative resonates strongly in the Arab world, as it echoes a deep political memory that goes back to the Bandung Conference of 1955, when post-colonial states, including Egypt under Gamal Abdel Nasser, sought to chart an independent path beyond the rivalry of great powers. At that time, the goal was not alignment, but precisely the opposite. As analyses published by Explaining History note, Bandung leaders declared their rejection of “colonialism in all its forms”, whether Western or Soviet. The central idea was clear: true independence meant not becoming a tool in someone else’s conflict. Today, Russia invokes the same language, but operates according to a different logic. From Partnership to Exploitation Facts on the ground reveal a different picture. In Iraq, for example, security investigations uncovered recruitment networks targeting young people. As reported by The New Arab, they were lured by offers of work or study, which later “turned into military service contracts” after arrival in Russia. The issue was not only deception, but also the structure of the process itself, where individuals were pressured to sign documents in a language they did not understand. Other sources confirm that these were not isolated cases. The National reports that young people were recruited through “seemingly legal channels such as travel agencies or employment offices”, only to find themselves bound by contracts they could not escape. The same source adds that “around 3,000 Iraqis ended up in the Russian army”. What is happening here is not cooperation between states, but the exploitation of economic and informational asymmetries. Cuba and Africa: The Same Pattern, Different Tools In Cuba, the mechanism takes a different form but follows the same logic. According to an analysis by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, recruits were offered salaries “of up to 2,000 USD per month, compared to an average Cuban income of around 17 USD”, along with promises of property and citizenship. In such conditions, the issue is less about free choice and more about economic pressure. In Africa, the picture is more fragmented, but the underlying logic remains similar. Al Jazeera reported, citing Ukrainian sources, that “more than 1,780 African nationals are currently fighting in the Russian army”, with recruitment spanning dozens of countries. The same sources indicate that many were drawn in through “black market labor […] without proper training”, often under the pretext of civilian employment. At the individual level, the situation becomes even clearer. A Reuters report states that some recruits were sent “directly to dig trenches and engage in frontline operations”, often without adequate preparation or logistical support. Not Only War, but Also Messaging This process is not limited to military use. The presence of foreign fighters is also instrumentalized in the information domain. According to The New Voice of Ukraine, citing Ukrainian intelligence, the aim is to build a narrative that “Russia is not an aggressor because it is also supported by the ‘civilized world’”. In other words, these individuals serve not only as soldiers, but also as elements of a broader propaganda strategy. What Happened to the Spirit of Bandung? This is where the central contradiction becomes visible. The idea behind Bandung was based on independence and the refusal to be drawn into great power conflicts. What we observe today, however, reflects a different dynamic. The Soviet Union once used the rhetoric of supporting liberation movements, while simultaneously expanding its sphere of influence. Contemporary Russia employs a similar pattern. Instead of overt ideological framing, it relies more on economic incentives, intermediary networks, and information influence. The outcome, however, remains comparable. Countries of the Global South are not treated as equal partners, but as environments from which resources can be extracted, including human resources. The Real Question The issue is not what is being said, but what is actually happening on the ground. If “cooperation” means that young people from Baghdad, Havana, or African cities are sent to fight in wars that are not theirs, then the question must be asked: is this support for independence, or a new form of dependency? The key analytical distinction lies between rhetoric and practice. Official language may speak of resisting imperialism, but operational reality may reproduce it in a different form. This is where the paradox becomes evident. Under the banner of opposing “Western imperialism”, mechanisms are being deployed that follow a similar logic, even if they are framed differently.
Russia and the Global South: From Bandung to the Instrumentalization of Human ResourcesEducationEgyptIranIraqIsraelJordanLebanonNews2PoliticsSecurityTechnology

Russia and the Global South: From Bandung to the Instrumentalization of Human Resources

ShaffafiyaShaffafiya2026-04-02
In Jordan’s media environment, the war in Iran is not presented as a distant geopolitical event. It is framed as a development with direct implications for national security, economic stability, and regional balance. This shift is not accidental. It reflects the interaction between the structure of the local media ecosystem and the strategic activity of external actors seeking to shape perception rather than simply transmit information. The key dynamic is not the promotion of a single narrative, but the gradual construction of an interpretive environment in which audiences are guided toward specific conclusions about responsibility, risk, and trust. The Media Ecosystem as a Vector of Influence Jordan’s media landscape operates through a functional balance. Official sources and mainstream outlets emphasize stability, procedural clarity, and institutional authority. At the same time, fast-moving digital platforms and social media accelerate the circulation of information and amplify emotional engagement. External actors do not attempt to replace this system. Instead, they integrate into it. Institutional messaging is reinforced by emotionally charged content, while fast-paced reporting creates opportunities for selective amplification. Newswire-style content, in particular, enables rapid secondary dissemination, often detached from its original context. As a result, audiences experience an apparent plurality of sources, while in reality operating within a constrained field of interpretation. The Russian Model of Information Influence Russian activity in the region is not based on overt propaganda, but on a layered communication strategy. At the institutional level, messaging is framed in the language of international law, sovereignty, and stability. Russia positions itself as a rational diplomatic actor advocating de-escalation and political solutions. At the media level, outlets such as RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic adapt this framework to mass audiences. They emphasize divisions within the West, highlight uncertainty in decision-making processes, and foreground the economic and security costs for the region. At the agency level, content distributed through newswire formats achieves high penetrability. Some of these messages introduce ambiguity or unverified elements, increasing informational friction and uncertainty. This structure does not impose a single narrative. It creates an ecosystem in which interpretation is guided rather than dictated. Strategic Objectives The primary objective is not to align Jordan or the broader region with a specific geopolitical bloc. The goals are more indirect and cumulative. First, to reinforce the perception that the conflict is “someone else’s war,” while its consequences are borne by regional actors. This framing encourages caution and strategic distance. Second, to weaken trust in the West as a coherent and reliable partner by highlighting divergences in policy and intent. Third, to position Russia as an alternative diplomatic actor capable of understanding regional realities and acting pragmatically. Fourth, to anchor the conflict in economic and energy-related concerns, making it more tangible and relevant to everyday life. Why These Narratives Resonate The effectiveness of these narratives lies in their alignment with existing sensitivities. In Jordan, internal stability, economic security, and avoidance of external entanglements are central concerns. Messages framed around sovereignty, cost, and regional risk do not appear foreign. They resonate with established patterns of perception. Repetition across multiple platforms further reinforces credibility, even when the underlying sources are interconnected. How to Respond The first step is to distinguish between information and interpretation. Not all analysis is neutral; some content is designed to guide conclusions rather than explain events. The second is source verification. The presence of identical information across multiple outlets does not necessarily indicate independent confirmation. The third is awareness of emotional triggers. Content that provokes fear, urgency, or anger is often structured to maximize reach rather than accuracy. The fourth is maintaining trust in credible sources while applying consistent critical evaluation. Conclusion Jordan’s media ecosystem is not a passive recipient of external influence. It is an active environment in which narratives interact, compete, and reinforce one another. External actors, including Russia, operate within this system, adapting their messaging to local dynamics and sensitivities. Understanding these mechanisms does not require rejecting external information. It requires recognizing that information can function as an instrument of influence, shaping perception as much as it reflects reality.
How External Actors Use Jordan’s Media Ecosystem: Mechanisms, Objectives, and ResponsesIranJordanPoliticsSecurity

How External Actors Use Jordan’s Media Ecosystem: Mechanisms, Objectives, and Responses

ShaffafiyaShaffafiya2026-04-02
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