Russia in Palmyra: Contextualizing the Kremlin’s Postconflict Heritage Rehabilitation Efforts

Russian-led reconstruction efforts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra, Syria, serve as a tool for cultural diplomacy and political legitimization. While these efforts are often perceived primarily as propaganda aimed at foreign audiences, they also reflect Russia's domestic political goals, particularly under President Putin. The Kremlin uses heritage rehabilitation to promote its narrative of reasserting global power in a multipolar world order. This study, combining ethnographic and historical research on world heritage politics, highlights the dual nature of these efforts—both international propaganda and a means to bolster Russia’s geopolitical standing.

Plets, G. F. J., & Munawar, N. A. (2024). Russia in Palmyra: Contextualizing the Kremlin’s Postconflict Heritage Rehabilitation Efforts. Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology and Heritage Studies, 12(1), 63–78. https://doi.org/10.5325/jeasmedarcherstu.12.1.0063