Previous Reviews

Number 78 ● August 25, 2016

Iran stars in the Russian Blogosphere Following the Lifting of Sanctions

Alisa Fainberg*

Following agreements between Russia and Iran on a wide range of issues, including the establishment of direct relations between the countries, Iran and its position in the international scene have become prevalent topics on LiveJournal, a major Russian blogging platform, known as “ZheZhe” in Russian common parlance. In recent years, LiveJournal has become a focal point for free expression and political commentary used by a wide variety of political experts, oppositionists, and public figures, as well as for Russian bloggers who hold different political views. The fact that opposition and alternative political views are mostly ignored by the mainstream media in Russia undoubtedly contributes to the popularity of online debates. The very format of LiveJournal, which allows long, article-type posts, adds further value to the platform. According to the researcher and writer Eugene Gorny, “no-one on VKontakte or Facebook has written [as much as] 10 pages of text. [But] on ZheZhe it’s easy to publish. ZheZhe is very useful for people who have something to say.”[1] Many factors initiated the Russian bloggers’ current preoccupation with Iran. The partial lifting of sanctions against Iran often overlays discussions about the sanctions imposed on Russia after the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, and the Russian-Iranian alliance in Syria. Interestingly, even Iran's Ambassador to Russia, Mahmoud-Reza Sajjadi, has a LiveJournal account, where he posts about Iranian traditions, customs, and cultural events, and expresses his private opinion on various issues related to Russian-Iranian relations.[2]

Caption of the LiveJournal blog of Mahmoud-Reza Sajjadi, Iran's Ambassador to Russia 

The relationship between Russia and Iran, as well as other shared interests related to recent developments in both international and regional arenas, might partly explain the current public opinion in Russia regarding Iran. According to the Pew Research Center, about 49% of Russians surveyed expressed an unfavorable view of Iran (compared to 69% in the U.S. and from 59% to 88% in Europe); further, 32% of the Russians have a positive image of Iran.[3] Opinions about Russian-Iranian topics on the prominent blog platform LiveJournal can be divided into two large groups: those who oppose an alliance and increased cooperation with Iran, and those who support rapprochement between the two countries.[4]

Those bloggers who express opposition to the United Russia party now in power[5]tend to depict Iran as a totalitarian state, and an unreliable, unstable partner for cooperation. Arguments used by opponents in this group include: “Iran is not Russia's friend or ally, but its temporal companion. Iran (Persia) disdains both Russia and the U.S.”; “Iran is highly volatile. Its friendly ties with Russia is due to lack of choices, and even so this cannot be considered as cooperation!”[6]

Recent rapprochement between Russia and Iran is also regarded as a mark of Russia’s undermined prestige, particularly its descent from its former position as a major player of influence in the international arena. This sense of loss motivates Russia to seek new allies among totalitarian states like Iran because first world countries are less tolerant toward Russia’s aggressive policy towards Ukraine and, particularly Crimea. In this light, Russia now sees Iran as a potential ally despite its international isolation, totalitarian regime, absence of freedoms, human rights violations, economic downfall, etc. Partial lifting of the sanctions against Iran, and the especially active involvement of Russia in this process is viewed by some Russian bloggers as jeopardizing their country's economy:[7]“Iran refuses to play with oil prices rising. It acts extremely unfriendly towards Russia. And at the same time Persians are impudent enough to lay conditions on T-90 tanks supplies.[8]” Another blogger commented in a post: “It is unlikely that Iran will take Russian interests into account during future expansion of its oil market. It is also possible that Iran will change its preferences in the fields of military and technical cooperation, while keeping it out of the public eye.”[9] Bloggers expressing extremist views are confident Iran will turn against Russia if that serves its interest, even by strengthening geopolitical relations with Russia's antagonists, like Turkey.[10]

Bloggers who actively support rapprochement between Russia and Iran mainly argue that strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries will improve Russia’s position for withstanding the threat of sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West. One blogger in this group advocates, “Iran, in my opinion, is among a few major independent nations [free from U.S.influence], which is not Russia's enemy, and in fact could become a highly valuable ally and trading partner. Moreover, Iran is geopolitically well-placed: on the Caspian Sea, access to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. It would be great to get access to their naval and air bases. And let the U.S.do somersaults alone with their sanctions.”[11] Ambitions to establish strategic military base(s) in Iran are often repeated by bloggers who support Russian-Iranian relations: “Iran is an excellent country, and our natural ally. We need to develop our economic and military cooperation as much as possible, and of course we will benefit from Russian military bases in the Persian Gulf.”[12] Many bloggers in this group tend to elaborate on the idea of restoration or recreation of the Russian Empire, and their blogs often have distinctive titles like “The Imperial Gazette.”On these blogs, authors and commentators adduce historical and other arguments for further cooperation. One such comment states, “It is much better to have the Persians as friends, than continue collaboration with the Ottomans. Turks have always displayed antagonism toward Russians, while for most part we had better ties with the Persians, despite the occupation of their lands by the [Russian] Empire.”[13]

The lifting of the sanctions against Iran is also considered a positive sign where Russian interests are concerned. It will force Iran, according to some Russian bloggers, to buy Russian technology and equipment in order to replace outmoded machinery for the development of oil production.[14] The supply of military equipment is construed by Russian commentators as “confirmation of the independence of their country’s foreign policy [from the U.S.],”[15]and they speculate that Iran will expand its purchases of Russian weapons. Some commentators on ZheZhe even consider Iran’s aforementioned decision not to purchase T-90 tanks from Russia to be part of a secret agreement between the two countries, which is meant to avoid the possible imposition of a U.N. veto of the deal. Accordingly, it is further claimed, Iran revoked the agreement and pretends to develop its own tank technologies, while secretly buying T-90s from Russia.[16]

Bloggers in the group who support cooperation not only view Russian-Iranian cooperation in positive light for the future of Russia; in their comments and discussions, Iran is also depicted as perfect example of a strong country that gained its independence from western (and particularly the U.S.) influence and managed to maintain and develop its economy, financial and social infrastructure while keeping public support in line with its religion and many unwritten codes.[17] Occasionally, interesting historical parallels are drawn between Russia and Iran, including analogies between Reza Shah and Czar Nicolas II – both are described as rulers who failed to preserve stability in their countries because of their pro-western orientations.[18]

In conclusion, the contemporary online debate in Russia concerning Iran leads to two important observations. First, the Russian blogosphere (and particularly LiveJournal) operates as an alternative space for expressions of wide range of political comments and various opinions. Opinions expressed in the Russian blogosphere oftentimes differ markedly from the position held by the official Russian media, which can be described as predominantly cautious, reporting concrete deals and cooperative moves, but avoiding any direct statements. Second, in light of the recent changes in relations between Russia and Iran, they have become a topical issue discussed on LiveJournal. Analysis of these discussions reveal a far more comprehensive variety of Russian public opinions on Iran and on the Russian-Iranian relations than those represented in official media and formal surveys.