Senior Fellow
[email protected]
Vienna, Austria
Background
Beginning in 1981, Dr. Nikolai Sokov worked at the Institute of US and Canadian Studies and the Institute of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow. From 1987-92 he worked at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union and later Russia, and participated in START I and START II negotiations as well as in a number of summit and ministerial meetings.
He has been invited to speak at numerous conferences and provide briefings to many organizations and governmental agencies, including:
- US Department of State
- US Department of Defense
- US Department of Energy
- Various committees of US Congress
- US national laboratories
- UK Defense Academy
- International Institute for Strategic Studies
- Fondation pour la Recherche Strategique
- Tomsk Polytechnical University
Education
Dr. Nikolai N. Sokov has a PhD from the University of Michigan (1996) and (the Soviet equivalent of a PhD) Candidate of Historical Sciences degree from the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (1986). He graduated from Moscow State University in 1981.
CNS Work
- OP#62: The Future of NATO’s Nuclear Posture and Arms Control in Today’s More Dangerous World
At the present moment, it is hard to see grounds for optimism when it comes to nuclear arms control or risk reduction. - Russian Nuclear Weapons In Belarus? A CNS Roundtable Discussion
Discussion on Putin’s announcement that Russia will deploy tactical nuclear warheads to Belarus. - Putin’s War with Ukraine: Voices of CNS Experts on the Russian Invasion
A compendium of CNS expert analysis and commentary on the nuclear ramifications of the war, as well as educational materials for expert and general audience. - OP55: Everything Counts: Building a Control Regime for Nonstrategic Nuclear Warheads in Europe
Such an agreement will face major negotiating and implementation challenges—not only between Washington and Moscow, but also between Washington and NATO European allies. - Russia’s novel strategic weapons: staying ahead of the Americans?
Examining public data, declassified intelligence, and commercial satellite imagery, the authors identify drivers behind Russia’s pursuit of weapons systems. - End of an Era: The United States, Russia, and Nuclear Nonproliferation
US-Russian cooperation on nuclear nonproliferation: Will shared interests prevail or fall victim to rivalry and mistrust? - Masters Students in Dual Degree Program Defend Theses
Students from Russia, the United States and South Korea presented their final papers as the result of their studies in 2019-2021. - Implications of US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty
The latest blow to the global arms control architecture. - Open Skies Treaty: Options in Case of US Withdrawal
Analysis of possible futures if the United States prepares to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty. - A Sad Anniversary: New START Turns 10
Political will is the only condition overcome the current crisis, but political will is in short supply.
Bibliography
Dr. Nikolai N. Sokov is the author or co-author of several monographs, including:
- Delegitimizing Nuclear Weapons: Examining the Validity of Nuclear Deterrence (2010)
- Reducing and Regulating Tactical (Nonstrategic) Nuclear Weapons in Europe (2009)
- Engaging China and Russia on Nuclear Disarmament (2009)
- Evolution of Nuclear Strategy in U.S. and Russia and its Implications for Arms Control (2003)
- Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Options for Control (2000)
- Russian Strategic Modernization: Past and Future (2000)
- Russian Policy Toward the Baltics: What the West Can Expect and What It Could Do (1999)
He is also co-author and co-editor of the first Russian-language college-level textbook on nuclear nonproliferation (Yadernoe Nerasprostranenie, Vol.I-II, PIR Center, 1st edition 2000, 2nd edition 2002).
