About
Arman Mahmoudian, PhD
Arman Mahmoudian, PhD
Research Fellow
armanm@usf.edu
813-974-9800
I am a research fellow, so it is no surprise that most of my work involves research,
which I love. My research has two main focuses: 1) the Middle East, with a focus on
Iran鈥檚 regional policy and the role of non-state actors in the region, and 2) Russia鈥檚
foreign policy, with a focus on Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Additionally, I contribute to USF's newly established Bilateral Influence Capacity
Index (BICI) as a subject matter expert, evaluating data related to the Middle East.
I write articles for outlets such as the National Interest, as well as GNSI, and am
a frequent contributor to BBC News and various international bureaus for that network.
I graduated with my PhD in Politics and International Relations from USF in May 2024.
So, I don't have much full-time experience at USF, but during my PhD journey, I worked
in various roles across campus. These included serving as a graduate assistant at
the USF Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies and teaching at the USF Judy Genshaft
Honors College.
Flashback to 10 years old: What did you want to be when you grew up?
I went back and forth between wanting to be a submarine officer and a lawyer. Evidently,
both lost to becoming a political scientist.
What鈥檚 the most 鈥渋nteresting鈥� thing you鈥檝e done that not many people know about?
At the age of 19, I became the youngest person to write for one of Iran鈥檚 most prominent
reformist newspapers, Shargh Daily
Favorite musician, genre of music?
Andrea Bocelli, Popera
Where are you originally from? What was your first job?
Iran, Tehran! I was the librarian at my middle school when I was 14 years old.
Books you鈥檙e currently reading?
Ten Years and Twenty Days, The Twilight War, and Russia and the West from Alexander
to Putin
Favorite sport, team, athlete or 鈥渢hing鈥� you could be President of the Fan Club?
Fencing! I just started, so I'm no professional, but I'm definitely a huge fan.
Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me....
My Sundays begin with drinking a VERY hot cup of coffee, followed by a walk around
the lake near my place, then cleaning the house, cooking, and preparing for the week.
When's your birthday?
June 24