Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies

The Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (MIR) enables students with advanced Russian language skills to professionalize their interest in Russia and Eurasia.

Collage made up of profile images of five people
A few of the experts who presented during MSSR 2021. Top (L-R): Elena Kostyuchenko, Dominic Lieven. Bottom (L-R): Hanna Notte, Dmitri Trenin, Elena Chernenko

Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia

This year, the Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia (MSSR) will be redesigned to address questions raised by the war in Ukraine: What did previous analysis overlook? How do we place the conflict in historical context? What constitutes power? And how do we rebuild from this nadir? Learn more about MSSR 2022.

Prisoners of History? Memory, Myth-Making, and Russia’s War on Ukraine

On April 15, Ivan Krastev, Jade McGlynn and Michael Kimmage discussed the role of historical myths in justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Click here for more details.

  • About Us

    The Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (MIR) promotes a nuanced and clear-eyed understanding of contemporary Russia and U.S.-Russia relations. 

  • The Ambassadorial Series

    The Ambassadorial Series features in-depth interviews with former U.S. ambassadors to Russia and the Soviet Union.

  • Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia

    The Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia is a seven-week, interdisciplinary summer program 
    based in Monterey, CA.  

  • The Bridge: Connecting Past and Present Through Archival Research on Russia

    This project illuminates archival sources and disseminates information about collections that are available for the use of students and young experts in the field. 
     

  • Geopolitics on the Move

    Geopolitics on the Move is a podcast series hosted by Fyodor Lukyanov and Sean Guillory.

  • Visiting Experts Program

    The Monterey Initiative on Russian Studies (MIR) invites renowned academics, diplomats, analysts and journalists from all over the world to speak to students at MIIS. 

  • Research and Travel Grants

    MIR sponsors student research and internships in Russia. 

  • Levada Center Translations

    MIR students translate weekly public opinion polls conducted by the Levada Center, a leading independent research organization in Russia. 

  • U.S. - Russia Dialogue Series

    Students at MIIS and MGIMO hold a series of virtual roundtable discussions over the year to share Russian and American perspectives on key issues. 

  • MIR Events

    Events and webinars hosted by the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies

  • MIR News

    Stay up to date with MIR news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Access lecture recordings and engage with experts by subscribing to the MSSR YouTube channel. 

  • Contact Us

    MIR is located at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in Monterey, CA.