PIR is the acronym for the Russian words Policy Studies in Russia. The PIR Center is a non-profit, independent, Moscow-based research and public education organization, which was founded in April 1994. Although its name and flexible structure permit it to conduct research on a wide range of issues related to Russian foreign and domestic policy, the Center is currently focused on international security, arms control, and nonproliferation issues that are directly related to Russia's internal situation. It is considered to be the leading Russian non-governmental organization working in this area.

That the PIR Center, registered and based in Russia, is a Russian non-governmental organization is important for two reasons. Firstly, by being a Russian organization, it avoids the current tension between Russian officials and foreign non-governmental organizations conducting research and working on international security issues related to Russia. Secondly, at a time when Russia is trying hard not to copy the political experience of the West and is seeking its own roots and future path, a Russian non-governmental organization is more likely to bring about the necessary changes in Russian policy and political practice.

The PIR Center has the following objectives:

• to promote the principles of democracy and rule of law in Russia;
• to make information on security issues available to the public and to distribute this information to the general public and experts via newsletters, journals, and study papers;
• to independently analyze the most urgent international security issues from a Russian perspective; and
• to educate Russian decision makers, legislators, young researchers, and students in the areas of international security and arms control.