Sergo Mikoyan Son of Anastas Ivanovich Mikoyan

1. Серго Микоян: Biography
2. Accidental Journey to the United States
3. Academic Work in the United States
4. Challenges and Opportunities
5. Writing and Research
6. Family and Legacy

Серго Микоян: Biography

Sergo Anastasovich Mikoian is the son of Anastas Ivanovich Mikoian, a prominent Soviet politician. Born in Russia, he has had a diverse and eventful life, including living in the United States.

Accidental Journey to the United States

Sergo Mikoian found himself in the United States almost by chance. While on a short business trip to Washington in 1989, he met a friend who introduced him to a senior Israeli general who was conducting research at the Kennan Institute. Intrigued by the opportunity to conduct his own research in the United States, Mikoian applied and was awarded a scholarship. He arrived in the United States in 1990 with his wife and youngest son.

Academic Work in the United States

Mikoian began his academic work in Harvard, where he received a research grant from the Institute of Russian Studies named after George F. Kennan. He later continued his research at the Institute for International Studies named after Woodrow Wilson in Washington. While in the United States, Mikoian worked as a scholar-in-residence at American University and collaborated with the National Security Archive at George Washington University.

Challenges and Opportunities

Living in the United States presented both challenges and opportunities for Mikoian. As a scholar, he had access to excellent archives and libraries, allowing him to conduct research more easily than in Russia. However, he also faced financial difficulties, as his salary in Russia was significantly lower than the minimum wage in the United States. To support his family, Mikoian rented out his father's apartment in Moscow, which provided the necessary means for living in the United States.

Writing and Research

Mikoian took advantage of his time in the United States to focus on his research and writing. He became a prolific author, publishing several chapters in collective monographs in the United States and England. His most notable work was a book about the Cuban Missile Crisis, based on his father's personal archives and documents from the United States. The book provided a unique perspective on the crisis and included correspondence between Nikita Khrushchev, Fidel Castro, and his father.

Family and Legacy

Throughout his life, Mikoian maintained strong connections with his family, both in the United States and in Russia. He emphasized the importance of his parents' love for each other and their children. While his father's position imposed certain restrictions and expectations on him, Mikoian's parents instilled in him values of integrity, justice, and morality. Despite the challenges he faced, Mikoian remained committed to his academic pursuits and continued to contribute to the field of international relations.