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Russia Maritime Studies Institute

Over the last decade, Russia emerged from its post-Cold War malaise with vigor. Although many consider Russia a predominantly land power, given the enormity of their land mass and relative lack of warm-water ports, for centuries Russia has sought access to the global maritime commons as a portal for greater engagement with the world, and a venue for projecting Russia's power beyond their littoral waters. Today, Russia is asserting herself via the maritime domain in regions that it considers of especial strategic importance, especially the North Atlantic, the Black and Baltic Seas, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Additionally, Russia is actively expanding its presence and capabilities in the Arctic.

Director, Russia Maritime Studies Institute

(401) 841-4464
841-4464

In coordination and consultation with U.S. Navy organizations to include U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, Sixth Fleet, Seventh Fleet and others, RMSI develops and prosecutes a broad research agenda.  Finished research projects are then provided to Department of the Navy leadership and the Fleet.  

At the same time, the Russian Navy is undergoing a significant modernization program in terms of both personnel and platforms, as well as attendant weapon systems.  An improved, and deploying, nuclear missile submarine force once again presents the United States and NATO with a significant challenge.  The Russia Maritime Studies Institute (RMSI) conducts research into these and associated maritime issues on behalf of the Department of the Navy and NATO partners.  

Broadly, the goals for RMSI are to:

  • Inform the Department of the Navy, Fleet Commands, Joint Forces and NATO decision-makers regarding Russian maritime issues
  • Provide comprehensive analysis supporting U.S. planning and operational activities
  • Educate Department of the Navy personnel on Russian maritime issues
  • Develop new knowledge contributing to scholarship and a deeper understanding of all issues associated with Russia at both the theater and global levels of analysis

Furthermore, taking advantage of the intellectual capital of the region affords RMSI the opportunity to develop deep intellectual synergies.  Based at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, RMSI resides at the nexus of academia, policy and operational communities.   The U.S. Naval War College contributes broad, multi-dimensional research, analysis and gaming competencies fused with significant linguistic and technical capabilities, built on the experiences of more than 100 years of pioneering strategic thinking about maritime issues, opportunities and challenges.  

Building upon this capability, location and experience, RMSI continues seeking collaborative partnerships with government research centers, civilian academic institutions and other organizations.  Together, these collaborative efforts will continue to enable RMSI to conduct detailed research on Russia’s maritime development and inform senior level decisions.  

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Hayat Alvi Profile Picture

Hayat Alvi

Associate Professor | National Security Affairs

Hayat Alvi, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor (civilian) in the National Security Affairs Department at the US NWC. Previously she served as Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at the American University in Cairo (2001-2005), and as Director of the International Studies Program at Arcadia University, Glenside, PA (2005-2007). She specializes in International Relations, Political Economy, Comparative Politics with regional expertise in Middle East and North Africa and South Asia, along with Islamic Studies. She is proficient in Arabic and Urdu, and she is a Fulbright Fellow (Syria, 1993-1994). Dr. Alvi has numerous published articles and books and book chapters.

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David R Stone Profile Image

David R. Stone

Professor | Strategy and Policy Department

Professor David R. Stone received his B.A. from Wabash College and his Ph.D in history from Yale University. He has taught at Hamilton College and Kansas State University. His first book Hammer and Rifle: The Militarization of the Soviet Union (2000) won the Shulman Prize of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies and the Best First Book Prize of the Historical Society. He has also published A Military History of Russia (2006), and The Russian Army in the Great War: The Eastern Front, 1914-1917 (2015). He edited The Soviet Union at War, 1941-1945 (2010). He is the author of several dozen articles on Russian / Soviet military history and foreign policy.

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