Bottom Line Up FrontVladimir Putin has consolidated Russian power in Moscow’s near abroad and traditional sphere of influence. More recently, Russia has expanded its reach to Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, while also making a foray into the Arctic region. Putin is clearly emboldened by what he sees as an opening for Russia in the face of increasing U.S. retrenchment around the globe. The Russian military has operated alongside both the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) and Lebanese Hezbollah in Syria. Russian mercenaries have also appeared throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, with contractors maintaining a presence in the Central African Republic and Sudan.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 08, 2019 03:56 UTC