McFaul's World

McFaul's World

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When Russian Elections Were Actually Competitive (Video)
Revisiting the competitive 1996 presidential election—and what came next.
 • Michael McFaul
The Best Conversations From My Book Tour
Highlights from conversations about democracy, autocracy, American foreign policy, and the new global disorder.
 • Michael McFaul
Are there parallels between Trump and modern autocrats?
That’s one of the questions my Stanford colleague Stan Christensen challenged me to address on his All Things Negotiation podcast.
 • Michael McFaul
What I Learned on My Book Tour Across America
Over the last nine months, I’ve travelled the country to speak about the ideas in my book, Autocrats vs. Democrats. Here are my biggest takeaways.
 • Michael McFaul
July 2026: Reflections on Europe, NATO, China, and Iran
From Europe’s security to China’s global ambitions, the key conversations and lessons that shaped my month.
 • Michael McFaul

Highlights

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Ukraine Is Winning
This spring, the stalemate on the battlefield has shifted in Ukraine's favor, complementing other Ukrainian victories in the war.
 • Michael McFaul
Growing Cracks in Putin’s Dictatorship
Predictions of Putin’s demise have been wrong many times before, but something is happening in Russia now that deserves more attention.
 • Michael McFaul
Putin Is Helping our Enemy in Iran
He should be punished for that decision, not rewarded for it.
 • Michael McFaul

Autocrats vs. Democrats

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Viktor Orban’s Loss Is Democracy’s Gain
A win for Hungary, Ukraine, Europe and small-d democrats everywhere
 • Michael McFaul
Trump Is Demolishing Four Pillars of American Power
By rejecting the lessons of the previous century, the president has undermined America’s advantage over China and Russia.
 • Michael McFaul
Why Democracy Promotion Is as Vital as Ever
An excerpt from my book, as published in the Journal of Democracy

Newsletters

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June 2026 Newsletter: Iran, Ukraine, and Lessons in Leadership
Reflections on the choices that shape American leadership abroad and at home.
 • Michael McFaul
May 2026 Newsletter: China, Russia, America and the New Global Disorder
Cracks in Putin’s dictatorship, the Trump-Xi summit, and my recent visit to Beijing.
 • Michael McFaul
April 2026: Iran at an Impasse, Hungary Offers Hope, and Back in the Classroom
U.S. strategy under strain abroad—and democratic renewal in Europe
 • Michael McFaul

Podcast & Video

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My Conversations with Stephen Colbert
Revisiting two appearances on The Late Show during pivotal moments in U.S.-Russia relations.
 • Michael McFaul
Autocrats vs. Democrats: My Annapolis Book Festival Talk
Watch the complete talk and discussion here
 • Michael McFaul
47:09
Q&A with McFaul
A recording from Michael McFaul's live video
 • Michael McFaul and Jennifer Monaghan
McFaul's World
McFaul's World
Explaining international politics, and especially the fight between autocrats and democrats in the world today.
Recommendations
View all 11
History of the Present
History of the Present
Timothy Garton Ash
Letters from an American
Letters from an American
Heather Cox Richardson
Thinking about...
Thinking about...
Timothy Snyder
Decoding Geopolitics
Decoding Geopolitics
Dominik Presl
America Abroad
America Abroad
Ivo Daalder

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Explaining international politics, and especially the fight between autocrats and democrats in the world today.
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