Understanding Russia’s security strategy in a context of power

When leafing through media reports of the past years, Russia often appears as an omnipotent player, with tentacles all over the world. It is seen as capable of influencing elections in the US, hacking well-protected databases, tipping domestic debates, reversing Assad’s chances of winning the war in Syria, holding European countries in an energy stranglehold and so on. The image of Russia as a threat has become widespread again. It is presented as re-emerging power, challenging Western hegemony. But is Russia indeed so powerful? And what is the role of perception?