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Nicole Grajewski Profile Picture
Nicole Grajewski
Nicole Grajewski Profile Picture
Fellow, Nuclear Policy Program

about

Nicole Grajewski is a fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Her research examines Russian and Iranian policies in the global order, with a particular focus on Russian nuclear strategy, Iran’s nuclear decision-making, contestation in the non-proliferation regime, and nuclear deterrence. She is completing her first book on the evolution of the Russia-Iran relationship from Syria to Ukraine, with Hurst Publishers.

Nicole is an associate researcher with the Project on Managing the Atom at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs. Previously, she was a Stanton Nuclear Security postdoctoral fellow at the Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs, where she researched Russian civilian nuclear cooperation with Iran and Russian perspectives on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). She was also a predoctoral research fellow with the International Security Program at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs.  Nicole has been a visiting fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations and a Hans J. Morgenthau Grand Strategy fellow with Notre Dame’s International Security Program.

Nicole completed her PhD at the University of Oxford in the Department of Politics and International Relations. Her dissertation, which studied Russian and Iranian perspectives on international order, received Oxford’s Pavry prize for the outstanding thesis in International Relations and an honorable mention from the British International Studies Association for the best doctoral thesis in International Studies. While completing her doctoral studies, Nicole conducted extensive archival fieldwork and elite interviews in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. She holds a master’s degree in Russian & East European Studies from the University of Oxford and a BA in International Affairs from George Washington University’s Elliott School.

education
PhD, International Relations, University of Oxford MPhil, Russian & East European Studies, University of Oxford, BA, International Affairs, George Washington University
languages
English, Russian, Persian, French

All work from Nicole Grajewski

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34 Results
commentary
Iran Has Shown Its Vulnerabilities

Tehran’s attempts to establish “new equations” of deterrence through direct strikes on Israel have largely backfired.

· October 28, 2024
In The Media
in the media
Russia-Iran Summit in Turkmenistan

A conversation about the Russia-Iran summit in Turkmenistan.

· October 14, 2024
The Warcast (War on the Rocks)
Putin and Khamenei
article
Autocrats United: How Russia and Iran Defy the U.S.-Led Global Order

A common adversary has brought these natural rivals together.

· October 10, 2024
Night sky and buildings illuminated by projectiles in the sky
commentary
Iran Is at a Strategic Crossroads

After its latest escalation, Tehran may be forced to reconsider its entire approach to national security, including leveraging its status as a threshold nuclear state to counter Israel.

· October 3, 2024
In The Media
in the media
In Brief: How Are Iranian Weapons Affecting the War in Ukraine?

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that Iran has sent close range ballistic missiles to Russia, prompting expanded sanctions on the country. Blinken said that he expects the missiles to be used against Ukrainian forces within weeks. 

· September 18, 2024
War on the Rocks Podcast
In The Media
in the media
Iran’s efforts to reengage with West face new challenges

U.S. sanctions over Iran’s missile deal with Russia are unlikely to derail President Masoud Pezeshkian’s efforts to bring his country out of isolation, diplomats say.

· September 16, 2024
Washington Post
In The Media
in the media
Iranian Ballistic Missiles Have Entered the Ukraine War Chat

Iranian Ballistic Missiles Have Entered the Ukraine War Chat

· September 13, 2024
The Naked Pravda Podcast
In The Media
in the media
Did Ukraine just call Putin’s nuclear bluff?

By invading Russia, Ukraine was also sending a message to America.

· August 28, 2024
Vox
In The Media
in the media
What’s Russia Up to in the Middle East?

A discussion on Russia's role in the Middle East

· August 22, 2024
War on the Rocks Podcast
In The Media
in the media
How Would Iran Benefit From Exporting Ballistic Missiles To Russia?

A new report says Iran is preparing to export Fath-360 and Ababil close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) to Russia and has started training Russian personnel to use the former.

· August 17, 2024
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty