“The history of ‘Russian Kauai’ hooked me with the fact that there is so much involved: the geopolitics of the early nineteenth century, sea otters, China, St. Petersburg’s ‘decision-making’, Boston captains and Hawaiian intrigue. There is of course Fort Elizabeth, where you can imagine the Russian flag being raised on May 21st, 1816 in the presence of a huge number of Kauaians. The adventures. The romance. The beauty of the ‘Russian’ Hanalei valley. Even the humble river Hanapepe, which received a new name: ‘Don’” – PIR Center founder, Head of the Center for Global Trends and International Organizations, Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, MGIMO Professor Vladimir Orlov.
PIR PRESS NEWS
13.11.2018
22.10.2018
“Everything points to the fact that the New START will follow the fate of the INF Treaty, and the whole system of arms control will cease to exist. But I think it is not going to be like that for long. Sooner or later, the United States will come to the same conclusion they reached in the late 60s: when it comes to nuclear weapons, predictability is even more important than arms reductions. Considering that the United States and Russia already have experience in providing predictability in this area, it will be necessary to return to it,” – Gen. Evgeny Buzhinskiy, Chairman of the PIR Center Executive Board.
11.10.2018
“We have only two arms control treaties left, and I hope that the New START will be extended. What would an arms control regime look like after the New START expires? It is necessary to impose limitations upon the missile defense system because, following the American logic during the 60s, ABM turns to be a weapon of a potential aggressor. It is useless and impossible to include everything in one treaty, but the restrictions on offensive and defensive arms, including space-based ones will have to be the key elements of a future arms control architecture,” – Gen. Evgeny Buzhinskiy, Chairman of the PIR Center Executive Board.
PIR Center and MGIMO University Joint Module “WMD Nonproliferation and International Security”
SYLLABUS
“WMD NONPROLIFERATION AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY”
"Governance and Global Affairs" M. A. in International Affairs
Course Description
International community faces new threats of weapons of mass destruction use and proliferation. Over the last two decades after the end of the cold war, Russia, the USA, other nuclear-weapon states as well as other countries and international organizations have acquired invaluable experience in international negotiations and implementation of joint agreements on nuclear weapons reductions, development of export control and nuclear security systems, as well as international cooperation in nuclear energy. Even with political changes, cooperation on nuclear sphere is a key factor of international security and successful solution of global and regional nonproliferation problems.
At the same time, the WMD nonproliferation regime is being presented with completely new challenges. On the one hand, global economic and political changes and technical progress are opening new opportunities for development, while on the other hand the risk of WMD proliferation and a new arms race are growing. Political and military issues are intricately intertwined with all other aspects of life in the world. In order to meet these challenges, there is a need for a new level of expertise in nonproliferation and international security, one that is founded on the latest advances in science and interdisciplinary research, as well as continued professional advancement.
The main purpose of the course is developing of better understanding of the main WMD threats, risks of nuclear energy development and WMD nonproliferation regimes functioning.
It is expected that at the end of the course the students will be able to analyze critically the role on nuclear factor in global, regional and national politics, including foreign policy and military doctrines, logic of arms control negotiations and mechanisms of international regimes functioning. The students will be able to formulate research questions, select appropriate methods, develop argumentation, make relevant conclusions and present their ideas and arguments on WMD nonproliferation issues. Knowledge and skills obtained during the course could used be both for development of the MA dissertations and in further practical work.
It is expected that at the end of the course the students will be able to analyze critically the role on nuclear factor in global, regional and national politics, including foreign policy and military doctrines, logic of arms control negotiations and mechanisms of international regimes functioning. The students will be able to formulate research questions, select appropriate methods, develop argumentation, make relevant conclusions and present their ideas and arguments on WMD nonproliferation issues. Knowledge and skills obtained during the course could used be both for development of the MA dissertations and in further practical work.
Each class includes a lecture, discussion on literature/Q&A session.
Requirements and Assessment of the course
Attendance is required. One absence without proper reason is the absolute maximum.
Everyone is expected to engage in the discussion. It is only possible if the students read and carefully think through the required reading before the class.
Assignments and grading system include:
Everybody can achieve as max 112 points
- In-class activity (including participation and questions) – 36 points (12 classes – 3 point each max)
- Participation in debates – 4 points + extra 4 points for debaters
- Test – 68 points
To get “pass” student need to get at least 32 points
Required readings are available at the programs web page.
Program Coordinators
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PIR Center: Mr. Albert Zulkharneev Phone: +7 (499) 940 0983 e-mail: zulkharneev@pircenter.org |
MGIMO: Ms. Maria Apanovich Phone: +7 (495) 434 4501 E-mail: masters@inno.mgimo.ru
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