Simon Saradzhyan

October 2012

Seven Lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis for the Karabakh Conflict

Discussion Paper

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Artur Saradzhyan

This paper will explore which lessons of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis Armenian and Azeri leaders should consider institutionalizing if they wish to prevent reheating of their conflict over Nagorny Karabakh into a war.

December, 2005

Disrupting Escalation of Terror in Russia to Prevent Catastrophic Attacks

Discussion Paper

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

March 2003

Russia: Grasping Reality of Nuclear Terror

Discussion Paper

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

The likelihood of a catastrophic terrorist attack against Russia is growing, as radical separatists in troubled Chechnya increasingly become more desperate, and security at many of Russia's civil nuclear facilities remains insufficient.

AP Photo

April 2012

"The Dynamics of Russia’s Response to the Piracy Threat"

Journal Article, NATO Science for Peace and Security Studies, issue E: Human and Societal Dynamics, volume 95

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Russia’s Maritime Doctrine describes “maritime shipments” as being of “vital importance” to the country. Maritime shipments have accounted for 60 percent of Russia’s foreign trade shipments in the recent years. However, vessels bearing the Russian flag account only for 4 percent of Russia’s foreign trade shipments. And the Russian fishing fleet remains relatively near to Russia’s shores, not venturing into the Indian and South Pacific Oceans.

AP Photo/Sedrak Mkrtchyan, PanARMENIAN

March 2012

"Armenia and China—Case for a Special Partnership"

Journal Article, Noravank Foundation, 21st Century Journal

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

This article by Simon Saradzhyan takes stock of the Armenian-Chinese relations to discern whether Yerevan has been effective in its response to the ongoing rise of the Middle Kingdom as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this April.

AP Photo

February 17, 2012

"Putin, the protest movement and political change in Russia"

Journal Article, EU Institute for Security Studies

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Nabi Abdullaev

Few leaders undertake major reforms in either domestic or foreign policy late in their rule, and Vladimir Putin – who seeks to return to the Kremlin this spring for at least six years – hardly wants to be an exception. However, should the disparate groups behind the recent unprecedented protests in Russia develop into an organised movement leading to a sustained increase in public pressure on the Kremlin, then Putin may end up pursuing far more extensive domestic political and economic reforms than he would wish.

Summer 2010

"The Dynamics of Russia’s Response to the Piracy Threat"

Journal Article, Connections

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Several years of economic growth before the 2008-09 economic crisis allowed the Russian government to steadily increase its defense expenditures, extending their conventional forces' reach, while Russia's foreign policy ambitions also grew in scope and scale.  Just as important as the boom-driven rise in defense spending was the fact that, as the economy grew, so did Russian companies and individuals' activities abroad, including both shipping and fishing. Thanks to the expansion of the media industry's reach, and the globalization of news in general, the Russian public's awareness of piracy incidents in general, and particularly those involving Russian citizens, grew as well.

Summer 2009

"Dynamics of Maritime Terrorists Threats to Russia and the Government's Reponse"

Journal Article, Connections, volume III

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Simon Saradzhyan identifies actors that have the capacity and motivation to commit acts of maritime terrorism against Russia. Saradzhyan also reviews Russia’s maritime and freshwater infrastructure and activities before outlining selected scenarios of terrorist acts that could take advantage of vulnerabilities in this infrastructure and facilities.

AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service

April 26, 2012

"Global Insider: Russia-China Military Ties Growing Despite Friction"

Magazine or Newspaper Article, World Politics Review

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Russia and China launched their first joint naval exercises in the Yellow Sea on Monday. In an email interview, Simon Saradzhyan, a research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center, discussed military cooperation between Russia and China.

June 5, 2013

The U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism Newsletter: April-May 2013

Newsletter

By Simon Saradzhyan, Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

The U.S.-Russia Initiative to Prevent Nuclear Terrorism Newsletter is a forum for discussing nuclear terrorism and actions to contribute to improved joint US-Russian assessment of the threat of nuclear terrorism. Available in both English and Russian.