THE GREATER MEDITERRANEAN IN THE DISCOURSE OF RESEARCH AND EXPERT ANALYTICS CENTERS

The article presents the analysis of current research trends and analytical developments in studies of the Mediterranean as a multi-component region by research and expert analytics institutions. The macro region of the Greater Mediterranean in contemporary world is a hub of international social, cultural and media communication network. Due to the increasing interest in the region, the demand for analyzing specifics of semantic flows and discourse strategies of key think tanks and research institutions of the macro region increases, which, eventually, allows us to update the model of Russia’s use of “soft power” in the region. The authors of the article emphasize that modern Russia is an active player in the macroregion of the Greater Mediterranean. In this regard, Russia’s “smart power” is crucial in the process of building the Greater Mediterranean macro region and promotion of Russia’s image as an important and effective stakeholder in the Mediterranean.