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.

Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia
This year, the Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia (MSSR) has been 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.
- About Us
The Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (MIR) promotes a nuanced and clear-eyed understanding of contemporary Russia and U.S.-Russia relations.
- Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia
The Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia is a seven-week, interdisciplinary summer program
based in Monterey, CA. - Monterey Conversations
The Monterey Conversations are an exploration of topics related to Russia, to U.S.-Russian relations and to the post-Soviet world. Invited guests are policy-makers, area experts, scholars and journalists. - The Ambassadorial Series
The Ambassadorial Series features in-depth interviews with former U.S. ambassadors to Russia and the Soviet Union.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.