Dr. Sina Azodi is a distinguished scholar and expert in Middle East politics, specialising in the intricate intersection of international security, nuclear non-proliferation, and the historically complex relationship between the United States and Iran. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, he also provides strategic academic leadership as the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Middle East Studies.
Dr. Azodi’s research is defined by a deep, archival-driven approach to understanding the evolution of Iranian foreign policy and national security strategy. His academic interests span:
- International Relations Theory: Analysing global power dynamics through the lens of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
- Nuclear Diplomacy: Tracking the historical and political trajectory of nuclear programs and non-proliferation efforts.
- U.S.-Iran Relations: Deconstructing decades of diplomatic friction, security dilemmas, and strategic competition.
His doctoral research offered a seminal look at the evolution of Iran’s nuclear program from its 1950s inception to the modern era, providing a rare longitudinal perspective on one of the world's most pressing security challenges.
Dr. Azodi is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Iran and the Bomb: The United States, Iran and the Nuclear Question. This work stands as the first comprehensive analysis of Iran’s nuclear ambitions to bridge the gap between primary Iranian and American sources. By synthesizing original documents from both nations, Dr. Azodi provides a nuanced, multi-dimensional narrative that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a balanced look at the nuclear "question."
At the George Washington University, Dr. Azodi shapes the next generation of global leaders, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses on International Security, Iranian Foreign Policy, and National Security Strategy.
Beyond the classroom, he is a frequent commentator on both English- and Persian-speaking media, including CNN, BBC, Sky News, Al-Jazeera, TRT World, and i24. His analyses have appeared in Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Arms Control Association, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Foreign Policy, and has been quoted by the New York Times, Washington Post, Spiegel, and Forbes.
Dr. Azodi is a prolific contributor to policy debates, leveraging his fluency in primary sources to provide context-rich analysis on contemporary Middle Eastern conflicts and diplomatic breakthroughs.
He has a Ph.D. in Government and International Politics from University of South Florida, M.A. in International Relations and B.A. in International Relations from The George Washington University.
