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
- Russian Nuclear Strategy
VIDEO: Senior Research Fellow Nikolai Sokov explains Russia’s modernization plans and nuclear strategy, and what it means for future US-Russia arms control. - CNS senior experts teach nonproliferation to future Chilean diplomats
The week-long course in Santiago is part of a strong and growing relationship between the Chilean Foreign Ministry and CNS. - A Russian Perspective on Nuclear Disarmament and Post-Nuclear World
To many Russians, the future looks “dark and dangerous,” and not very susceptible to further reductions on Russian reliance on nuclear weapons. - Ensuring Deterrence against Russia: The View from NATO States
This CNS report analyzes key NATO states’ threat perceptions of Russia, and provides recommendations in advance of the July 2016 NATO summit in Warsaw. - Russian Cruise Missiles and Implications for US/NATO
A new round of Russian cruise missile tests are stirring up yet another source of contention between the United States and Russia. - Nuclear Weapons and European Security
Video Lecture with Dr. Bruno Tertrais and Dr. Nikolai Sokov on February 24, 2015. - The “Return” of Nuclear Weapons
Nikolai Sokov spells out three ways that nuclear weapons feature in the Ukraine crisis. - NATO’s Post-Ukraine Nuclear Policy—The NATO Summit
This week’s NATO summit may mark a turning point away from US-Russian arms control and could lead to a renewed emphasis on nuclear weapons. - Russia’s Actions Resolve NATO Nuclear Dilemma — For Now
Changes to NATO’s defense posture are likely to involve a strengthening of its conventional, rather than nuclear deterrent. - Why Russia Calls a Limited Nuclear Strike “De-escalation”
If Russia were faced with a large-scale conventional attack that exceeded its capacity for defense, it might respond with a limited nuclear strike.
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).
