Regional Studies Center

Regional Studies Center at the University of Mosul organized a seminar entitled “Post-Soviet Russia: A Model of Imperial Expansion,” presented by Assist. Prof. Walid Mahmood Ahmad on May 11, 2025, in the presence of researchers and those interested in international affairs.

The seminar aimed to shed light on the geopolitical strategy adopted by Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and to analyze its motives in seeking to restore its regional and international influence, especially in the countries of the former Soviet neighborhood, and discussed the role of nationalist ideology and military ambitions in shaping modern Russian foreign policy.

The seminar reviewed the most important historical and political milestones that contributed to the crystallization of the “Greater Russia” project, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the war in Ukraine, and interventions in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The seminar explained that this expansion is not only read in the context of Russian national security, but is related to Moscow’s desire to reshape a multipolar world order.

The seminar concluded with an open discussion session that witnessed interaction from the attendees, who raised questions about the future of Russian influence and its repercussions on regional and international security, emphasizing the importance of continuing academic research to understand the rapid geopolitical transformations in the world.