Petr Topychkanov

Associate
Nonproliferation Program
Moscow Center

Topychkanov is an associate in the Carnegie Moscow Center’s Nonproliferation Program.

Education

PhD, MA, Moscow State University
BA, Institute of Practical Oriental Studies

Languages

English; Hindi; Russian; Urdu

Contact Information

Email Petr Topychkanov
tel +7 495 935 8904
fax +7 495 935 8906
Press Inquiries

Resources

About the Nuclear Policy Program

Petr Topychkanov is an associate in the Carnegie Moscow Center’s Nonproliferation Program.

Previously, he served in the Russian Armed Forces (2003–2004) and worked in the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate (2002–2003). He has been a member of the editorial board of the Nuclear Club Journal (Moscow) since 2009. He has taught courses on the modern history of South Asian countries at Moscow State University’s Institute of Asian and African Studies (2006–2009), the Institute of Practical Oriental Studies (2005–2011), and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University of Humanities (2006–2011).

Topychkanov earned his doctorate in history from the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University in 2009. In 2007, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship as a PhD student.

Op-Ed Moscow Defense Brief February 27, 2013

Russian Policy on India and South Asia

The Russian government should transition to a comprehensive and overarching strategy in South Asia.

Paper Carnegie Moscow Center Working Paper July 26, 2012 Русский

India’s Prospects in the Area of Ballistic Missile Defense: A Regional Security Perspective

India continues to develop a missile defense system, despite a lack of expert consensus within the country on the value of such a system and despite the fact that uncertainty regarding Indian missile defense adversely affects regional security.

Op-Ed Metro September 21, 2011

Small Risk of Space Terrorism

While theoretically terrorists could use missiles stolen from armed forces to target space satellites, the risk of such space terrorism remains small because terrorists don’t have enough resources to carry out such attacks.

Paper Carnegie Moscow Center Working Paper July 29, 2011

Nuclear Weapons and Strategic Security in South Asia

It is unlikely that nuclear weapons proliferation in South Asia will lead to a deliberate outbreak of large-scale war, but a catastrophic conflict could occur even though neither the Indians nor the Pakistanis intend to start a nuclear war.

Op-Ed Russia Beyond the Headlines June 24, 2011

Missile Defense: Not Joint, but Cooperative

Russia, the United States, and NATO should recognize the diverse long-term benefits of dialogue over cooperative missile defense.

Op-Ed The Hill September 15, 2010 Русский

The 123 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: Energizing the U.S.-Russia Reset

U.S.-Russia cooperation on civilian nuclear energy would enhance mutual security, promote economic growth, cement the gains of the reset, and provide the relationship with long-term stability.

Article May 31, 2010 Русский

NPT Review Conference: No Crisis and No Breakthrough – Is This Success?

Despite the lack of sensations, the NPT Review Conference concluded on a successful note because it managed to avoid what a number of experts had feared – namely a deep-reaching crisis in, or even the collapse of the nuclear nonproliferation regime.

Article February 19, 2010

The Lack of a Comprehensive Strategy, Not the Taliban, Is the Problem in Afghanistan

While the U.S. policy on Afghanistan has been accused of inconsistency, recent events suggest a comprehensive policy is taking shape, one that takes into account transformations in the threats the country faces.

Article February 16, 2010

Blast in Pune Will Not Get in the Way of Mending Relations between India and Pakistan

The terrorist attack in Pune shows there is still opposition in India to normalizing relations with Pakistan. Since the international community supports normalization, however, this opposition stands little chance of success.

Article December 9, 2009 Русский

Manmohan Singh’s Visit to Moscow – a Cause for Reflection on the Future of Russian-Indian Relations

Clearly it is in Russia's interest, while maintaining its strong positions in India, to search for a way to move beyond the traditional spheres of cooperation, in order not only to maintain the strategic nature of their bilateral relations in the long run, but, using these relations, to enhance the innovative character of its own economy.

Moscow: Carnegie Moscow Center July 5, 2011 Русский

20 Years Without the Berlin Wall: A Breakthrough to Freedom

Enormous societal and political shifts 20 years ago opened prospects for a new, united Europe. Despite Russia’s role in this peaceful departure from totalitarianism, the country’s course in the subsequent two decades was not so straightforward. While the demolition of the Berlin Wall is no guarantee of success, democratic transformations are a necessary precondition.

Voice of Russia's Morning Show April 22, 2013

Former Pakistan President Could Face Treason Charges

The arrest of Pervez Musharraf is a momentous event for Pakistan, since his conviction would deprive the country’s military establishment of impunity it has long enjoyed.

Voice of Russia March 8, 2013

Kerry's Tour as US Secretary of State: Prospects of US Foreign Policy

The United States will probably continue to limit its presence in global affairs because Barack Obama is committed to a more moderate U.S. role in foreign affairs.

Voice of Russia June 28, 2012

Nuclear Five in Washington Discuss Nonproliferation

Nuclear nonproliferation will only be successful if the Nuclear Five, especially the United States and Russia, set an example for the rest of the world by fulfilling their pledges to pursue disarmament.

Voice of Russia February 28, 2012

9 People Killed in a Suicide Attack in Eastern Afghanistan

Reports that NATO troops burned copies of the Koran in Afghanistan help boost the Taliban’s recruitment efforts and can be used to support the Taliban’s attempts to portray conflict in Afghanistan as religious rather than political.

Voice of Russia's Inside View February 20, 2012

Western and Arab Officials Call on Moscow to Take a Clear Stance to Put an End to Bloodshed in Syria

Russia lacks the resources for dealing with the situation in Syria and, despite its current support of the Bashar al-Assad government, will likely lose influence in the country regardless of the future political situation.

Voice of Russia's Inside View January 24, 2012

The European Union Slapped an Embargo on Iranian Oil Supplies

The European Union’s embargo on Iranian oil supplies is unlikely to be effective in forcing Iran to restart negotiations on its on-going nuclear program.

Voice of Russia's Inside View January 13, 2012

Iran’s Nuclear Program

While Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy, the international community has reason to worry that Iran’s nuclear program is developing technologies that would enable Tehran to build nuclear weapons.

Voice of Russia January 12, 2012

Fourth Iranian Nuclear Scientist Killed in Car Blast

Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, department supervisor at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, was killed in a car bomb explosion in Tehran that Iranian officials have already accused both the United States and Israel in playing a part in.

Voice of Russia's Inside View November 22, 2011

Italy and Germany Call on the UN Security Council to Respond to Violence in Syria

The situation in Syria is unlikely to improve in the near future. It is increasingly likely that the violent domestic unrest can only be resolved through a regime change.

Voice of Russia September 5, 2011

PLO Says UN Report on Freedom Flotilla Incident Violated International Laws

Given the current domestic political situations in Israel and Turkey, improving relations between the two nations will likely require external intervention.

May 17, 2012 Moscow Русский

Putin’s Return and U.S. Presidential Elections: What Are the Prospects for Russian-American Relations?

2012 is an election year for both Russia and the United States. Presidential elections have already taken place in Russia, and they will be held in the United States in November. It remains to be seen how these political changes might affect Russian-American relations.

November 17, 2010 Washington, D.C. Русский

Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation in South Asia: Engaging India and Pakistan

Given the current status of nuclear security and nonproliferation in South Asia, nuclear powers like China, Russia, and the United States should look for a path of engagement for India and Pakistan to be brought into the global nonproliferation regime.

March 24, 2010 Brussels Русский

Russia's AfPak Policy—A Waiting Game?

Russia is already doing much to help the alliance in its struggle against the Taliban insurgency, yet there is a growing feeling in the West that Moscow could be playing a more decisive role in Afghanistan.