Simon Saradzhyan
Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Contact:
Telephone: 617-496-8228
Email: simon_saradzhyan@hks.harvard.edu
(AP Photo)
March 30, 2011
"Russia: Conscription Crisis Looming?"
Op-Ed, International Relations and Security Network
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
The conscription model of the Russian armed forces is unsustainable, and the country’s military planners will either have to recruit older men and cancel exemptions or recruit more professional soldiers in the future. The latter is preferable given that skilled rank-and-file will be needed to operate sophisticated weapons systems that the Russian military plans to acquire in the next decade.
(AP Photo)
March 28, 2011
"A Silver Bullet for the Reset"
Op-Ed, Moscow Times
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
At the November NATO summit in Lisbon, Russia and the alliance set June as a deadline to make progress in developing a framework for cooperating on missile defense. If an agreement is reached, it could become a game-changer in Russia’s relations with the United States and its NATO allies.
AP Photo
March 22, 2011
"Russia Presses Ahead With Nuclear Plants After Japan Crisis"
Op-Ed, The Huffington Post
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
While Russian authorities saw the recent calamities in Japan as a chance to initiate a rapprochement with the country, says Simon Saradzhyan, Moscow's overtures to Tokyo have received a cool reception. However, he says, "Japan's nuclear crisis nonetheless represents an opportunity for Russian policy-makers to take a fresh look at the country's nuclear energy policies in order to ensure that both existing and future plants are protected against natural or man-made calamities, even those that may still seem unthinkable."
(AP Photo)
February 22, 2011
"Russia: Looking Ahead"
Op-Ed, International Relations and Security Network
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Nabi Abdullaev
Putin and Medvedev will remain at the political helm throughout 2011 – and most likely beyond. In addition to thorny questions of leadership, however, political, economic and foreign policy harbingers will prove vital in determining the course of the country in the coming years. But what elements in particular will prove decisive, and what ‘unknowns’ should be on our radar?
March 16, 2011
The Global Future of Nuclear Power After Fukushima
Op-Ed
By Martin B. Malin, Executive Director, Project on Managing the Atom, Yun Zhou, Research Fellow, Project on Managing the Atom/International Security Program, Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Sungyeol Choi, Former Research Fellow, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2010–2012, Karthika Sasikumar, Former Stanton Nuclear Security Junior Faculty Fellow, International Security Program/Project on Managing the Atom, 2010–2011; Former Associate, International Security Program, 2008–2009 and Mahsa Rouhi, Associate, Project on Managing the Atom/International Security Program
The crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan is sending shockwaves through nuclear planning agencies around the world. Policy makers are asking for reviews of safety regulations, publics are expressing concern, and it appears likely that some of the planned construction will be curtailed. These commentaries offer sketches of how the discussion of nuclear energy is unfolding in key countries where plans for growth are most significant.
February 3, 2011
The U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism Newsletter: December 2010 - January 2011
Newsletter
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Suicide Terrorist Attack on Moscow's Domodedovo Airport; Pakistan and Russia Consult on Counterterrorism and Non-Proliferation; Counterterrorism Training Center in Russia to Be Built in Russia; more.
(AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
January 27, 2011
"From Toilet to Airport"
Op-Ed, Moscow Times
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"Russia continues to suffer from the deadly menace of indigenous terrorism. Monday’s suicide bombing at Moscow’s busiest airport has become the latest tragedy," writes Belfer Center Fellow Simon Saradzhyan.
January 27, 2011
"Suicide Bombing at Moscow Airport Illustrates Russia’s Misguided Security Strategy"
Op-Ed, Global Intelligence Report
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Belfer Center Fellow Simon Saradzhyan writes "A powerful bomb went off on 24 January at Moscow’s busiest airport, killing 35 and injuring some 180 others. As of 26 January, no one had claimed responsibility for the attack at the Domodedovo airport, but investigators suspect that North Caucasus-based terrorist networks."
January 25, 2011
"Missile Defense: Game-Changer in NATO-Russia Relations"
Op-Ed, International Relations and Security Network
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Belfer Center Fellow Simon Saradzhyan writes, "The US and its NATO allies remain at loggerheads with Russia over missile defense in Europe, threatening to shutter fledgling NATO-Russian cooperation. However, an agreement on a cooperative missile system would transform the Moscow-NATO relationship from that of military stand-off to substantive, sustainable partnership."
AP Photo
December 23, 2010
"Russia's North Caucasus, The Terrorism Revival"
Op-Ed, International Relations and Security Network
By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Terrorism has recently staged a deadly comeback in Russia after a lull of several years, writes Belfer Center fellow Simon Saradzhyan. "Escalatory logic and rivalry among leaders of the North Caucasus-based terrorist networks combined with landmark events planned in Russia and the dynamics of violence in the greater Middle East may fuel further spikes in organized political violence..."
