The famous American political scientist, historian Dmitry Simis, or Simes, as he is now called, spent his childhood and youth in the Soviet Union. After leaving for America, he managed to make a good career in the profession of a political scientist, rare for an emigrant. Dmitry knows the secret of success: a combination of ambition, energy and self-confidence. Even in the most difficult situations, he does not forget his favorite word: "Forward!"
early years
Dmitry was born in 1947 in Moscow. His parents were directly related to jurisprudence. Father Konstantin Simis was a lawyer, taught international law at MGIMO, collaborated with Radio Liberty. Dina Kaminskaya's mother worked as a lawyer. None of the adult members of Dima's family were members of the party, the Soviet government was treated very negatively, and the boy's grandfather called her a "gang". Dmitry's public and political views began to take shape very early, the special mood that reigned at home affected. Parents were Jews, they had to refute anti-Semitic sentiments that existed among the intelligentsia more than once. Lawyer Kaminskaya became famous for her participation in high-profile trials of Soviet dissidents. She defended them more than once, and this led to the fact that she was no longer allowed to participate in political trials and was expelled from the bar. In 1977, the parents, after several interrogations, fleeing the persecution of the special services, were forced to leave the USSR forever.
Study at Moscow State University
After leaving school, the young man did not get to the institute the first time and began work in the State Historical Museum. This fact finally determined the choice of a further profession. A year later, he became a student at the history department of the country's main university. However, Dmitry did not study long at the full-time department of Moscow State University, a year later he had to transfer to correspondence education. The reason was a careless polemic with a teacher of the history of the CPSU about the significance of the work of the leader of the world proletariat. It cannot be said that then the young man shared the cosmopolitan views of his parents, but he was already thinking about the structure of society and his significance. In parallel with his studies, Simis worked in the library of the USSR Academy of Sciences.
His unexpected fascination with anthropology led to the fact that Dmitry left his studies in history and entered the biology and soil faculty of the same university. The very next year he was expelled for political reasons - for anti-Soviet statements about the American aggression in Vietnam. The courageous student had to find out what "Matrosskaya Tishina" is, he spent about two weeks in a pre-trial detention center. However, the young man himself did not consider his statements to be dissident, he simply lived and worked within the framework of the existing system.
Carier start
For the next several years, Simis worked at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations. The career of the young scientist was developing successfully. His scientific project was recognized as the best and was awarded an award. The promising specialist was active in the Komsomol organization. In 1973, an event took place that became a landmark in the further biography of the young man. Dmitry was among the Protestants who staged an action at the Central Telegraph in Moscow. Arrest followed and a three-month term in a pre-trial detention cell. He was able to be released only thanks to the intervention of representatives of foreign authorities, who appealed to the leadership of the Soviet Union with a request for release. So Simis in an accelerated version received the right to leave the USSR through Vienna to the United States without returning, and used it in the near future.
Emigration
Soon, 25-year-old Dmitry found himself in America. Here he got a new official name - Dmitry Simes. The Soviet emigrant managed to make a good career and become an influential American citizen. The value of a specialist in Russia was that he thoroughly knew the reality of the issue and did not engage in rabid anti-Soviet propaganda. For the first 10 years, he directed the Dale Carnegie Center for Russian and Eurasian Programs. He taught at higher education institutions in Columbia and California. Simes was greatly influenced by his acquaintance with former President Richard Nixon. In the 1980s, he served as an unofficial adviser to the ex-head of state on foreign policy issues.
How does he live today
The political scientist lives in the American capital, where he heads the Washington Institute for National Interests, a nongovernmental research center. In addition, he is the general director of the National Interest magazine. Dmitry spends a lot of time in Russia, and confesses his love for her. He remembers that his childhood and formation passed here. Simes' wife is Russian, they met in the early 90s, during one of the politician's visits to Moscow. Their family union has been going on for over two decades. Wife Anastasia graduated from VGIK and the Institute. Surikov. In America and Europe, they know and love the work of a talented theater artist. At home, the couple speaks their native language. Dmitry's only son also speaks good Russian, with a slight accent.
