The report “Russian Disinformation in the Arab States of the Persian Gulf” offers an in-depth analysis of the Kremlin’s information activities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, showing how Moscow exploits regional political tensions, authoritarian control over the media, and societies’ vulnerability to digital messaging to amplify its own propaganda narratives. The author demonstrates that Russia’s information strategy is coherent, long-term, and highly adaptable. Its main objectives include undermining the credibility of the United States, countering international isolation following the invasion of Ukraine, advancing Russia’s economic and military interests, and promoting a vision of a multipolar world.
The report examines official propaganda outlets such as RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic, as well as informal activity across social media, highlighting how Russian narratives—such as “Western hypocrisy” regarding Palestine, “NATO provocations,” or “Russia’s reliability as a partner”—gain traction in the region. Detailed case studies show that Russian disinformation fills an information void stemming from the Gulf states’ policies of neutrality, enabling the Kremlin to expand its influence and legitimise its actions against Ukraine effectively. The publication concludes with a set of findings and recommendations to improve the identification and mitigation of Russian influence operations in the Arab world.
