Prof Rouben Azizian staff profile picture

Contact details +6492136098

Prof Rouben Azizian PhD

Professor

Doctoral Supervisor
School of People, Environment and Planning

Professor Rouben Azizian joined CDSS in December 2015 after spending close to 14 years at the US Defense Department's Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) in Honolulu where he lectured and conducted research on the Asia-Pacific Regional Security Architecture, Diplomacy and Confidence Building, Security Sector Development, as well as US, Russian, Central Asian and Oceania security issues.

Before joining APCSS, Professor Azizian taught at the Department of Political Studies at the University of Auckland in 1994 – 2001.  From 1998 – 2001 he was the President of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

Prior to becoming a full-time academic he had an extensive career in the Soviet and later Russian Foreign Service, which included assignments in Nepal (1972-1978) as Attaché and Third Secretary; Sri Lanka (1980-1985) as Second and First Secretary; and New Zealand (1991-1994) as Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission. 

Professor Azizian has published several books as well as numerous book chapters, journal articles and working papers on Asia-Pacific security issues.

He is a member of the editorial boards of scholarly journals Asian Politics and Policy, Central Asian Studies, Asia-Pacific Journal of Marine Science and Education and Russia and Asia-Pacific.

Professor Rouben Azizian joined CDSS as its Director in December 2015. His areas of expertise are Asia-Pacific security architecture, regional geopolitics and diplomacy, security sector governance and national security strategy development.  

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Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: 092136098
    Location: 2.36, AT
    Campus: Albany

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy - Diplomatic Academy Moscow (1987)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

International Relations

Regional Security

Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution

Thematics

21st Century Citizenship

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Defence Studies (160604): Government and Politics of Asia and the Pacific (160606): International Relations (160607): New Zealand Government and Politics (160608): Political Science (160600): Studies In Human Society (160000)

Keywords

- Asia-Pacific security architecture

-Geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific

-Russian politics and foreign policy

-US role in the Asia-Pacific

-Sub-regional security in South and Central Asia, Northeast Asia and Oceania

-Security sector governance and management

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 1 1

Research Outputs

Journal

Azizian, R. (2017). Mikhail Gorbachev, The new Russia. New Zealand International Review. 42(1), 27-28Retreived from http://www.nziia.org.nz/new-zealand-international-review.aspx
[Book Review]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Adilzhanov, NB., Kozhirova, SB., & Azizian, R. (2016). Democracy in Kazakhstan: Historical fiction or reality. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education. 11(17), 10229-10240
[Journal article]Authored by: Azizian, R.
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Arystanbekova, AK., Azizian, R., & Chukayeva, SS. (2014). UNESCO and Kazakhstan: New realities. Life Science Journal. 11(5), 523-526
[Journal article]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Azizian, R., & Bainazarova, E. (2012). Eurasian Response to China's Rise: Russia and Kazakhstan in Search of Optimal China Policy. Asian Politics and Policy. 4(3), 377-399
[Journal article]Authored by: Azizian, R.
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7
Azizian, R., & Vasilieff, P. (2003). Russia and Pakistan: The difficult path to rapprochement. Asian Affairs. 30(1), 36-55
[Journal article]Authored by: Azizian, R.
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Azizian, R. (2003). A marriage of convenience: Russia and U.S. foreign policy. Asian Affairs. 30(2), 151-159
[Journal article]Authored by: Azizian, R.
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Book

Johanson, TC., & azizian, R. (2020). Finding the Democratic Balance: Australian and New Zealand National Security Coordination. In L. Weinberg, E. Francis, & E. Assoudeh (Eds.) Routledge Handbook on Democracy and Security. : Routledge
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R., Burton, J., Greener, P., Harding, N., Hutching, M., Johanson, T., . . . Patman, R.(2019). The Defence Capability Plan 2019: Ten Different Views from Security Commentators.
[Discussion Paper]Authored by: Azizian, R., Harding, N.Edited by: Harding, N.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
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Azizian, R., Choi, S., Belgrave, D., Greener, B., Harding, N., Hoverd, W., . . . Prinsen, .(2018). The 2018 Strategic Defence Statement: Ten Different Views from Massey Scholars.
[Discussion Paper]Authored by: Azizian, R., Choi, S., Greener, B., Harding, N., Hoverd, W., Powles, A., Prinsen, J.Edited by: Greener, B.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Azizian, R. (2017). Security and Strategy in the Asia-Pacific: Challenges and opportunities for New Zealand. In W. Hoverd, N. Nelson, & C. Bradley (Eds.) New Zealand National Security: Challenges, Trends and Issues. (pp. 59 - 73). Auckland: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2017). Foreword. In A. Colarik, J. Jang-Jaccard, & A. Mathrani (Eds.) Cyber Security and Policy: A Substantive Dialogue. (pp. 7 - 8). New Zealand: Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.

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Azizian, R. (2017). Rise of Asian Regionalism. In S. Sevastyanov (Ed.) Competing Models and Contemporary Trends of East Asian and Asia-Pacific Regionalism. (pp. 75 - 93). Vladivostok: Far Eastern Federal University
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2015). Introduction: Regionalism, Security and Cooperation in Oceania. In R. Azizian, & C. Cramer (Eds.) Regionalism, Security and Cooperation in Oceania. (pp. 9 - 16). Honolulu: Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.Edited by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2015). Introduction: Regionalism, Security and Cooperation in Oceania. In R. Azizian, & C. Cramer (Eds.) Regionalism, Security and Cooperation in Oceania. (pp. 9 - 16).
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.Edited by: Azizian, R.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Azizian, R., & Cramer, C. (Eds.) (2015). Regionalism, security and cooperation in Oceania. United States of America: Daniel K Inouye Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies
[Edited Book]Authored by: Azizian, R.Edited by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2014). Rise of Asia: Implications for Europe and the United States. In S. Konopacki (Ed.) Europe in the Time of Crisis. (pp. 127 - 140). : Lodz University Press & Jagiellonian University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2012). United States and the Asia-Pacific: Balancing rhetoric and action. In R. Azizian, & A. Lukin (Eds.) From APEC 2011 to APEC 2012 American and Russian Perspectives on Asia-Pacific Security and Cooperation. (pp. 114 - 126). : Vladivostok, Far Eastern Federal University Press, Honolulu, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, 2012
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.Edited by: Azizian, R.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Azizian, R., & Lukin, A. (Eds.) (2012). From APEC 2011 to APEC 2012: American and Russian perspectives on Asia -Pacific security and cooperation. Vladivostok: Far Eastern Federal University
[Edited Book]Edited by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2006). Russia, America and new conflicts in Central Asia. In Globalization and Conflict: National Security in a 'New' Strategic Era. (pp. 135 - 150).
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.
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Azizian, R. (2006). Islamic radicalism in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In The Ideological War on Terror: Worldwide Strategies for Counter-Terrorism. (pp. 81 - 95).
[Chapter]Authored by: Azizian, R.
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Conference

Azizian, R. (2016, September). Small Arms Proliferation in the Pacific. Presented at Government of Samoa and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) workshop on building national and regional capacity for the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in the Pacific. Apia, Samoa.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2015, February). Security Sector Development in the Asia-Pacific. Presented at National Security Strategy Workshop. Suva, Fiji.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2012, September). Defence Reform in the Asia-Pacific. Presented at Defence Capability Building Workshop. Indonesian Defence University, Jakarta.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R.Defence Reform in the Asia-Pacific. . Indonesian Defence University, Jakarta
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Azizian, R.

Other

Azizian, R. (2017). Insight: We need a private-public sector dialogue in security. (pp. 28 - 29).
[Other]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2017). A comprehensive approach to national security and a more assertive New Zealand in regional security.
[Other]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2014). Security sector development: Challenges and opportunities for the Indo Asia Pacific. (pp. 30 - 35). The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command
[Other]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2014). Security sector development in the Asia-Pacific. (pp. 24 - 28). Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies Public Affairs Office
[Other]Authored by: Azizian, R.
Azizian, R. (2012). Afghanistan regional responsibility. (pp. 43 - 43).
[Other]Authored by: Azizian, R.

Consultancy and Languages

Languages

  • Russian
    Last used: 2018
    Spoken ability: Excellent
    Written ability: Excellent
  • Armenian
    Last used: 2018
    Spoken ability: Excellent
    Written ability: Excellent
  • Sinhalese
    Last used: 1991
    Spoken ability: Needs work
    Written ability: Needs work
  • French
    Last used: 2001
    Spoken ability: Average
    Written ability: Needs work

Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 4 1
Co-supervisor 2 2

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Nick Dynon - Doctor of Philosophy
    Security Competition in the Southwest Pacific - Is New Zealand reading China's intentions correctly?
  • Indeewari Galagama - Doctor of Philosophy
    Role of Religious and Ethnic Tensions in the Emergence of Terrorism in Sri Lanka.
  • Jose Miguel Alonso Trabanco - Doctor of Philosophy
    The Geopolitical Dimension of Digital Currencies and their Implications for the Field of Security
  • Terry Johanson - Doctor of Philosophy
    Variance in State Military organisations and its impact on Civil-Military Relations.

Co-supervisor of:

  • Steven MacBeth - Doctor of Philosophy
    New Wars-Old Platforms;Comparing AUSCANZ Defence Innovation in the Grey Zone 2000-2022
  • John Mitchell - Doctor of Philosophy
    Application of the Coordinated Incident Management System in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Response to COVID-19: Barriers and Opportunities to Effective Response and Recovery Leadership

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • 2023 - Brian Nelson - Doctor of Philosophy
    Mass Atrocities and Military Intervention: A Ripeness-based Approach to the Decision Moment

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2023 - Hafza Tahira - Doctor of Philosophy
    Democratic Transition and Civil Military Relations in Pakistan A constructivist account of military’s political legitimacy
  • 2022 - Bruce Pepperell - Doctor of Philosophy
    Leadership in extreme contexts: When survival is not enough!