Coup in Madagascar: Massive arms shipments from Russia change everything

Russia’s global strategy increasingly relies on expanding influence far from its immediate borders, particularly in regions where political instability creates openings for external power brokers. Africa has become a key arena in this effort, not as a collection of isolated partnerships, but as a network of strategic footholds tied to resources, logistics, and global trade routes. Moscow’s approach blends military assistance, security guarantees, and elite-level engagement to secure long-term leverage rather than short-term visibility. The Indian Ocean region holds particular importance in this calculus, linking Europe, Asia, and alternative maritime routes critical during periods of crisis. Control or influence along these corridors can translate into economic resilience, diplomatic pressure, and strategic insurance against isolation elsewhere. Against this backdrop, developments in Madagascar signal a move that fits into a much larger pattern rather than a standalone act of cooperation.

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