Anatoly Vasilyevich Torkunov (; born 26 August 1950) is a Russian diplomat and

international relations International relations (IR, and also referred to as international studies, international politics, or international affairs) is an academic discipline. In a broader sense, the study of IR, in addition to multilateral relations, concerns al ...

scholar. The rector of Moscow's State Institute of International Relations, Torkunov is a member of the Presidium of the

Russian Academy of Sciences The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS; ''Rossíyskaya akadémiya naúk'') consists of the national academy of Russia; a network of scientific research institutes from across the Russian Federation; and additional scientific and social units such ...

and the Board of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. He is the President of MGIMO Endowment Fund. He serves as chairman of the United Nations Association of Russia. He was a co-president of the Trianon Dialogue, Russian-French civil societies forum (2017-2022). Torkunov is a Russian Orientalist, focused on international relations, regional subsystems in Asia-Pacific Region and North-Eastern Asia, the modern history of Korea, and diplomatic history and practice. His research interests are the historical and political factors of foreign policy-making, international conflicts, and regional studies.

Biography

After graduating from MGIMO University (the

Moscow State Institute of International Relations Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) (, also known as MGIMO University) is an higher education, institute of higher education located in Moscow, Russia. The institute is run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia), Russian ...

) in 1972, Torkunov began teaching at the institute, while carrying out post-graduate research related to Africa and Asia. He was awarded the degree of candidate of sciences in history for a PhD thesis on the installation and consolidation of bureaucratic military rule in

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

in 1977. His administrative career included working on positions of the rector's assistant, dean of the international office, vice-rector for international cooperation. He was in diplomatic service in Pyongyang and Washington. Upon returning to the Soviet Union, he resumed his work at MGIMO, where he was elected dean of the School of international relations (1986), then promoted to the position of the first vice-rector (1989). In 1991, he was granted the title of professor. In 1992, Torkunov was elected as rector of MGIMO (re-elected in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012). In 1993, he was awarded the rank of Ambassador, in 1995, he received the degree of doctor of political sciences (thesis: "Korean Peninsula Security Challenges: International and intra-Korean aspects"). In 1999, A. Torkunov was elected president of the Russian International Studies Association. Elected corresponding member of the

in 2003, he became a full member of the Academy in 2008. In 2022, he was elected member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Torkunov holds the

diplomatic rank Diplomatic rank is a system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. A diplomat's rank determines many ceremonial details, such as the order of precedence at official processions, Seating plan, t ...

of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary since 1993.

Current activities

* Rector of the

(MGIMO). * President of the United Nations Association of Russia. * President of the Russian International Studies Association. * Chair of the Board of

Channel One Russia Channel One ( rus, Первый канал, r=Pervý kanal, p=ˈpʲervɨj kɐˈnal, t=First Channel) is a Russian Television in Russia, federal television channel. Its headquarters are located at Ostankino Technical Center near the Ostankino To ...

(2011-2020). * Honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts. He is also foreign member of

Polish Academy of Sciences The Polish Academy of Sciences (, PAN) is a Polish state-sponsored institution of higher learning. Headquartered in Warsaw, it is responsible for spearheading the development of science across the country by a society of distinguished scholars a ...

, honorary professor of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, honorary citizen of

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

, honorary doctor of a number of universities.

Research

Torkunov is the author of more than 150 research papers, including 9 individual monographs. Several of them were published in the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and other countries. Among them are «Mysterious War: Korean Conflict of 1950–1953» (Moscow, 2000; was published in Russian, Korean and Japanese), «The War of Korea: Its Origin, Bloodshed and Conclusion» (Tokyo, 2001). His works made great contribution to historical analysis and Korean studies, research of international relations in Asia-Pacific Region in 1950s and later. He wrote a «History of Korea» (Moscow, 2003, in Russian). He is one of the authors, editors and project leaders of a collective monograph “Russian–Korean relations. Parallel History” (published in 2022 in Korean and Russian)

Torkunov is co-author and editor of monographs, dedicated to theoretical and methodological issues of international studies («Contemporary International Relations» — 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2012 in Russian; «History of International Relations» (in 3 vol.) — 2012, in Russian; «Foreign Policy of Russia» — 2000, 2013, in Russian; «China in World Politics» — 2001, in Russian, etc.), co-author and editor of the first Russian textbook on «Diplomatic Service» (Moscow, 2002) and the second volume of «History of Russian MFA» (Moscow, 2002). He also chairs an international research project «Gorchakov’s Readings», which is focused on studying diplomatic history and practice. He is the co-editor of a two volumes of "History of International Relations and Russian Foreign Policy in the 20th Century" published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing in 202

Torkunov participated in several international research projects and is a member of editorial boards of a number of Russian and international academic journals.

Honours and awards

Anatoly Torkunov He has received state awards of Russia, France, Italy, Poland, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Japan. Distinguished Scholar Award (Post-Communist Systems in International Relations Section), International Studies Association, 2018. * Order of Alexander Nevsky (16 July 2015) – for contribution to the foreign policy of the Russian Federation, merits in scientific and pedagogical activity, training of highly qualified specialists and many years of diligent work * Order of Merit for the Fatherland **2nd class (26 August 2020) - for achievements in scientific and teaching activities, training of qualified specialists, and many years of conscientious work **3rd class (14 May 2010) – for outstanding contribution to the implementation of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation and many years of diligent work, achievements in research and the teaching and training of highly qualified personnel **4th class (26 August 2000) – for outstanding contribution to the training of highly qualified specialists and many years of diligent work * Order of Honour (21 October 2004) – for the great achievements in research and training of highly qualified specialists *

Order of Friendship The Order of Friendship (, ') is a state decoration of the Russian Federation established by Boris Yeltsin by presidential decree 442 of 2 March 1994 to reward Russian and foreign nationals whose work, deeds and efforts have been aimed at ...

(6 October 1997) – for outstanding contributions to strengthening the economy, social development and in connection with the 850 year anniversary of the foundation of Moscow * National Order of the

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

(France, 8 September 2011) * Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Commander with star, Poland, 4 October 2010) *

of Kazakhstan, 1st class (2019) and 2nd class (2007) * Officer of the Order of Academic Palms (France, 2005) * Order of the Star of Italy (Italy, 2020) *

Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary The Hungarian Order of Merit () is the fourth highest Order (honour), State Order of Hungary. Founded in 1991, the order is a revival of an original order founded in 1946 and abolished in 1949. Its origins, however, can be traced to the Order of ...

Order of the Rising Sun The is a Japanese honors system, Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge feat ...

of Japan (2021) * Order of Diplomatic Service Merit of the Republic of Korea (2000) * Friendship Order of Vietnam (2014) * Order of the Polar Star of Mongolia (2021)

References

External links

Anatoly Torkunov's personal website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Torkunov, Anatoly 1950 births Living people Full Members of the Russian Academy of Sciences Honorary members of the Russian Academy of Arts Moscow State Institute of International Relations alumni Academic staff of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class Recipients of the Order of Honour (Russia) Commanders with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland Officiers of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques Recipients of the Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary Diplomats from Moscow Honored Employee of the Diplomatic Service (Russia) Rectors of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations Soviet diplomats Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (Russian Federation) Russian Koreanists