Fans of political talk shows on Russian television have long known the overseas expert, who usually comments on various international events through a teleconference. Now Dmitry Simes, together with Vyacheslav Nikonov, is already hosting the Big Game program on Channel One. They represent Russian and American views and ideas for solving global problems.
Origin
Dmitry Konstantinovich Simis (that was his name at birth) is a first-generation American who emigrated from the Soviet Union. Born October 29, 1947 in Moscow. By nationality Dmitry Simes is Jewish.
His father, Konstantin Mikhailovich Simis, worked as a lecturer at MGIMO, specializing in international law. Then he was a senior researcher at the Institute of Legislation, an employee of Radio Liberty, was engaged in human rights activities.
Mom, Dina Isaakovna Kaminskaya,worked as a lawyer. She represented the interests of many dissidents in Soviet courts, for which she was later expelled from the Moscow Bar Association. In 1977, Simes' parents emigrated to the United States to live with their son. In the biography of Dmitry Simes, the family played a great role in the formation of his political views and the desire to leave the country.
Student years
After graduating from high school, he failed to enter college in his first year. Therefore, in order not to waste time in vain, he got a job as a scientific and technical employee at the State Historical Museum. The following year, having successfully passed the entrance exams, he entered the full-time department of the Faculty of History of Moscow State University.
In his second year, Dmitry Simes inadvertently entered into a heated debate with a teacher in a class on the history of the CPSU on the evaluation of some of Lenin's works. In Soviet times, it was one of the main subjects, regardless of the speci alty received. Therefore, in order to avoid a more severe punishment, he transferred to the correspondence department. At the same time, he became seriously interested in anthropology, which is why he entered the full-time department of the biological faculty of Moscow State University. However, here, too, things did not go beyond the first course. He was expelled from the university for speaking at a youth debate in which students were supposed to condemn American aggression in Vietnam. The faculty leadership did not like his anti-Soviet remarks.
Soviet Americanist
Fortunately, Dmitry Simes was not expelled from distance learning. He graduated from the history department of Moscow State University, having defendedthesis on the problems of modern US history. Even during his studies, his father's acquaintances were able to arrange him as a scientific and technical employee at the famous Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO). After graduating, he continued to work at this institute, dealing with the socio-political problems of the United States.
Worked under the scientific supervision of Shamberg in the Information Department in the USA group. Dmitry lectured on international issues. Nationality in the biography of Dmitry Simes of those years probably only helped. He became one of the most promising scientific specialists. Received an award in the competition for the best project among young professionals. It was then that he became seriously interested in the United States as a place of future residence and decided to emigrate.
Forward to the dream
In order not to harm the people who got him a job, and, possibly, the reputation of the institute, Dmitry quit and only then applied for an exit visa. In making one of the most important decisions in the biography of Dmitry Simes, nationality played a key role.
After half a year of tedious waiting, he was allowed to leave the Soviet Union. Shortly before this, Dmitry participated, along with other dissidents, in a protest action held at the Central Telegraph Office in Moscow. He was arrested and spent three months in a pre-trial detention cell. The petition of the French prime minister and the American senator helped to get free and quickly draw up documents. They turned to the chairman of the Soviet government for assistance. Kosygin. And in early 1973, like many other Soviet Jews, on an Israeli visa, he left through Vienna for the United States without the right to return.
From Americanists to Sovietologists
Upon arrival in the country of his dreams, the former Soviet Americanist officially became Dmitry Simes. The young man managed to quickly integrate in the New World, to become a valuable specialist in his former homeland. Unlike many "Russian" emigrants, he did not speculate on the topic of the heavy proportion of Jews in the Soviet country, did not engage in rabid anti-Soviet propaganda.
The fact that he tried to look at the Soviet world realistically played a great role in the biography of Dmitry Simes as an authoritative Sovietologist. Instead of total criticism, he offered to deal more with the evolution of socialism and the country, which contributed to a more accurate forecasting of relations between the superpowers.
He had good relations with many influential politicians, including James Schlesinger, director of the CIA, and later with the Department of Defense and Brent Skroakforth, national security adviser. Perhaps thanks to them, he headed the Center for Soviet and European Studies at the Carnegie Endowment. He worked here for about ten years, doing research and teaching at leading American universities.
New Russia Specialist
An important event in the biography of Dmitry Simes was his acquaintance in the 80s with former US President Richard Nixon. He was consideredhis unofficial foreign policy adviser. In 1994, he headed the Nixon Center, a non-governmental research center (now the Center for the National Interest).
In post-Soviet times, Dmitry Simes deals with issues of relations between the new Russian state and the united West. He is quite loyal to the current authorities in Russia. Remaining a patriot of his new homeland, he stands for the improvement of relations between countries on the basis of a balance of interests. Often acts as an expert on various television programs and publications. Author of several books, among the latest - "Putin and the West. Do not teach Russia how to live!"
Private life
Simes is married to Anastasia Reshetnikova, daughter of the famous Russian artist Pashkevich. She graduated from the art faculty of VGIK with a degree in film production, and the Surikov Art Institute. Now one of the most popular theater artists in America and Europe.
I met my future husband in 1994 on one of his many visits to Moscow, when an American Sovietologist flew in for negotiations with the leadership of the new Russia. The children of Dmitry Simes and Anastasia are not reported. The couple live in Washington.
