The scientific institution The Institute of the USA and Canada at the Russian Academy of Sciences (ISCRAN) was created in 1967 under the direct supervision of Academician G.A. Arbatov. The institute specializes in a comprehensive study of the countries of North America: the USA and Canada.
ISCRAN: full name, address, contacts
The address of the institution: Khlebny Pereulok 2/3 s 4. 121069, Russia, Moscow. The nearest metro stop is Arbatskaya. E-mail: iskran@rambler.ru. Website address: www.iskran.ru.
In addition to scientific research, the institute:
- publishes collections, books, booklets, including dictionaries, encyclopedias and many other publications;
- works with various information technologies;
- creates and uses all kinds of information databases, information and resources;
- advises on work in foreign economic activity, including commercial. Solves management issues.
Why did the Institute of the United States of America and Canada appear
The first center for the study of the United States of America appeared in 1953 (immediately after the death of I.V. Stalin). It was opened in Moscow at the Institute of History and was called the sector of the study of American history. Its appearance served as a new stage in the history of Soviet education and led to many positive changes not only in the field of science, but also in society as a whole.
The emergence of the center is directly related to the complete changes in relations between the USSR and the United States, because The new politicians of the Soviet state and the armed forces needed up-to-date and most complete information about the United States.
In 1956, under N.S. Khrushchev, a huge center for the study of Western countries was organized, the Institute of World Economy and International Relations. The so-called “Institute of the USA”, which was headed by G. A. Arbatov, was allocated from this institute. He specialized in a comprehensive and in-depth study of the United States. The US Institute had a strong influence on the relations between our two countries, because had access to almost all materials and could comprehensively analyze all US foreign and domestic activities and policies. In the future, the institute was called ISK RAS, since it was also assigned to work in Canada.
Other United States Learning Centers
In the seventies, the problem of interaction between the two countries became more urgent, there are more and more centers for the study of the USA in the USSR. In Moscow, under the leadership of N. Sivachev, a new program begins to work at Moscow State University, its name is Fullbright, which sends us to the creator of this program, William Fulbright.
In Kiev, a center is emerging under the leadership of A. Shlepakov, which specializes in networking with the Ukrainian diasporas in the United States and Canada through a common language - Ukrainian. U.S. study centers are also being organized in other cities.
All this leads to a change in relations between our countries.
In 1972, on the occasion of the arrival of American President Richard Nixon in the USSR, cooperation was established between Soviet tourist centers with the "Slavic diasporas" in the USA and Canada, as well as with a very large Jewish diaspora in these countries.
The role of ISCRAN in the analysis of politics and economics
From the very beginning of its existence, the institute of the USA and Canada plays a central role in the analysis of the politics, ideology and economics of these countries, and influences the definition of the entire foreign policy of the USSR (and Russia) in relation to these countries. He was and remains the necessary think tank and collector of information for leading politicians, economists and the military in the USSR (now in Russia). Since its inception, the institute has been pursuing a policy of reducing and even removing tensions between countries, and coordinating the parity of Russia with the United States.
Since 2000, a faculty of world politics has existed at the Institute of the USA and Canada on the basis of GAUGN (State Academic University of the Humanities). Undergraduate and postgraduate studies are completed by accreditation in December 2016.
The Institute of the USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences offers students the opportunity to study the countries of North America with the aim of supporting, first of all, the political and economic interests of our state on a global scale. The program of higher education “Foreign regional studies” prepares specialists in the field of both history and economics, politics and culture of the countries studied, introduces them to a practical global analysis of situations that arise, and includes comprehension of two languages. Students study society, politics, religion, geography, culture, economics, and more. The main thing for the institute is not just to educate, but, first of all, to reveal novice scientists and develop their interest in politics and the study of the interaction of countries.
Exchange of students from the USA and the USSR
Since 1958, extremely important regular university student exchanges (4 people on each side) have taken place between Moscow State University and Columbia University (USA). Mutual exchanges brought and bring a huge amount of information about the USA, used by ISKRAN to inform the Central Committee of the CPSU and the party elite of the country.
First Director of the Institute of the United States of America and Canada
Georgy Arkadievich Arbatov is not only the first director, but also the creator, organizer of the work of the Institute of the USA and Canada. He was born on May 19, 1923 in Kherson. His father is a prominent party leader. Georgy Arkadievich graduated from the artillery school, since 1939 - in the ranks of the Red Army. The participant of the Second World War, was awarded the Order of the Red Star for military merits, was written off as a disabled person of 2 groups. Member of the CPSU (b) since 1943. Graduate of MGIMO in 1949 with a degree in International Law. Themes of the candidate and doctoral dissertations are connected with the ideology of state power. Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR since 1974
A party leader, a prominent American scientist, journalist and editor of several magazines and other periodicals, an expert on international relations. He was the initiator of the annual Russian-American dialogues on the development of relations, international security and the resolution of international conflicts. He was awarded nine orders of the USSR and Russia and medals.
He led a lively advisory and pedagogical activity in GAUGN. He served as director of the Institute of the USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences from 1967 to 1995. He was an adviser and personal friend of Yu. V. Andropov. He died in 2010, was buried in the Moscow Don cemetery.
ISKRAN management and staff
The staff of the Institute of USA and Canada consists of 55 people, including management. Almost all the leaders of ISCRAN are academics, doctors of science, and prominent American scientists. This is G. A. Arbatov, S. M. Rogov, V. N. Garbuzov (acting director of the institute), V. A. Kremenyuk, V. B. Supyan, S. V. Emelyanov, E. Ya. Batalov, E. A. Ivanyan.
The last speech of the Director of the Institute of the USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences V.N. Garbuzov at the expert discussion on global security in the current conditions of nuclear uncertainty was published in the Institute's news on February 7, 2019.
What do ISKRAN employees do
Scientists working in ISCRAN thoroughly examine the political course pursued by the United States in different parts of the world, analyze all aspects of Russian-American relations, and analyze in detail the concepts of foreign and domestic policy of this state. Particularly closely studied are the new political processes, the internal politics of the state, public opinion and American political culture.
The institute’s research is closely related to the military interests and strategic position of the Russian armed forces in Europe and the world, as Institute scientists work closely with representatives of the Russian Air Force. The structure analyzes systems of various economic relations in the world, especially Russian-American.
Canada's IRSAN Division deals with Canadian foreign and domestic policies and the Canadian economy in the same areas.
Recent events in ISKRAN
- ISCRAN is the leader in world rankings (dated February 7, 2019).
- January 22, 2019 - speeches and answers to questions from journalists of ISCRAN Director V.N. Garbuzov and ISCRAN Research Director V. B. Supyan at a press conference.
- January 31, 2019 - presentation by academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences S.M. Rogov and candidate of technical sciences P. S. Zolotareva at a round table on current issues of the INF Treaty.
- February 12-13, 2019 - holding a scientific conference on the activities of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Following the results of the scientific conference, a separate issue of the journal “Russia and America in the 21st Century” will be published.