The Russian Empire and Egypt, 1900–1915: A Case of Public Diplomacy

Russia’s relationship with Egypt developed as both lands underwent prolonged periods of modernization. Constrained by geopolitical factors in the Middle East, Russia approached Egypt in the late nineteenth century and especially in the first fifteen years of the twentieth century with “soft power.” This approach included mutually beneficial trade relationships, cultural exchanges, and international assistance in the realm of information and technology. A close examination of the Russo-Egyptian relationship reveals that the Russian Empire was furthering its ends in the Middle East by peaceful means intended to impress the region’s societies favorably, a concept sometimes characterized today as “public diplomacy.”