About Arman
Arman Mahmoudian holds a PhD in Politics and International Affairs from the University of South Florida. He earned his Master's in International Relations in Russia and my Bachelor's in Law in Iran. Currently he serves as a full time in-house research fellow at the Global and National Security Institute and as an adjunct faculty member.
In addition to his professional roles and publications, he is a member of the editorial board at the Joint Special Operations University. His research and commentary on Middle Eastern and Russian affairs have been featured in leading outlets, including Foreign Policy, The National Interest, Stimson Center, Atlantic Council, Gulf International Forum, and other platforms.
He frequently provides expert analysis on various media channels, such as BBC News, BBC World, BBC World Service, BBC Channel One, BBC Persia, BBC Arabic, Al Jazeera Balkan, Le Monde, and Deutsche Welle, offering insights on Middle Eastern and Russian affairs. He has also been invited to share his expertise at prominent institutions, including the European Delegation for Syria, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), the Middle East Institute, and the London School of Economics (LSE).
Arman's Background
​Arman Mahmoudian was born in Tehran, Iran. His early fascination with politics was sparked during his childhood, as family discussions frequently centered around potential military conflicts between Iran and the US. Even though young Arman couldn't fully grasp the nuances, the palpable anxiety of those around him was unmistakable. By 14, his burgeoning interest in history led him to participate in a speaking contest on the Crusades between Christians and Muslims—a victory that galvanized his commitment to the humanities during his high school years.Arman's focus pivoted to government structures in the wake of the 2009 Iranian Presidential Election. This prompted him to pursue a bachelor's degree in law at the Islamic Azad University, culminating in an honors thesis titled, "The Syrian Civil War in the Eyes of International Law." Concurrently, Arman ventured into journalism, writing for reformist newspapers like Shargh Newspaper and Etemad Daily. By the age of 19, in 2011, he penned his first article about Russian protests against the legislative election, which marked the beginning of a prolific journalistic journey. To date, he has authored 87 articles in Farsi on Russia and the Middle East, some of which have been republished by Russian media.In 2014, intrigued by escalating tensions between Russia and the West, Arman relocated to Moscow to pursue an MA in International Relations at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. His Master's research, centered on the "Religious-Ethnic Conflict in Iraq and Syria and its Regional Impact," earned him accolades for the "Best Thesis Defense Performance."Inspired by Alexander de Tocqueville's travels, Arman made his way to the United States, Tampa Bay, Florida, in 2017 to pursue a Ph.D. in Politics and International Affairs at the University of South Florida. His dissertation, titled "The Cooperation between Russia and Iran-Led Shia Axis: Its Nature and Implications for the United States in America," reflects his acute analysis of geopolitical dynamics and their global ramifications, specifically concerning US foreign policy. His incisive analyses on regional security in the Middle East and Russian foreign policy have since been published by esteemed platforms including the Harvard Journal of Middle Eastern Politics & Policy, the London School of Economics Middle East Center, Atlantic Council, Middle East Eye, Politics Today, New Arab, the Global Post, and Trends Research and Advisory. In addition, Arman frequently shares his expertise on media channels like Al-Jazeera and the BBC.Proficient in English and Persian, Arman also has a working knowledge of Russian.
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