Dear Friends and Colleagues,
August has been a mix of work and pleasure for me, with a two-week trip to Indonesia providing a welcome opportunity to relax and spend some time with my family.
It’s been a busy nine months since the publication of my book, Autocrats vs. Democrats, last October, with dozens of talks across the country and abroad. So when I gave my final book talk of the academic year this month, it felt like a good opportunity to stop and take stock. Mostly, I felt grateful—to everyone who came out, asked questions, challenged me, and shared their own thoughts about the future of American democracy.
Throughout the tour, I made a point of traveling widely, to red states and blue states alike (15 states in all, plus talks in China and Estonia). Everywhere I went, I met people who value our allies, reject isolationism, and believe the United States should remain engaged internationally. That gives me hope.
I was also struck by the enthusiasm for supporting democratic ideas and movements around the world—and by how hungry people are for optimism. One of the comments I heard most often after my talks was simply: “Thank you for that dose of optimism!”
Those conversations left me more encouraged about Americans’ continued commitment to democratic values and U.S. leadership in the world, and I look forward to many more such conversations when I get back on the road this fall.
Read more: What I Learned on My Book Tour Across America
Ukrainian Independence Day
August 24 marked Ukrainian Independence Day, a date that has become personally meaningful to me over the years. On this day, I always reach out to Ukrainian friends to wish them a Happy Independence Day (just as they return the favor every July 4).
This year, however, I found it difficult to write the word “happy” to my Ukrainian friends. Ukrainians are still fighting to preserve the independence they declared 35 years ago, as Russia continues its brutal war against their country. Their fight is not only for Ukraine’s freedom and sovereignty, but for the security of democratic Europe.
So this year, I wanted to say something else as well: thank you. Thank you to my many Ukrainian friends and colleagues, and to all Ukrainians, for continuing to fight for your country and your freedom, despite the enormous sacrifices Russia’s war has demanded of you. Your courage continues to inspire me, as it has for so many years.
My hope is that when August 24 comes around next year, I won’t have to struggle with what to say. I hope I can simply call my Ukrainian friends and wish them a Happy Independence Day—and that they can celebrate it in peace.
Read more: Thank You, Ukrainians! Happy Independence Day
Trade War with Canada
This month also saw a troubling development much closer to home: the further deterioration of America’s relationship with Canada.
Canada has been one of our closest allies, trading partners, and friends for generations. Yet President Trump has decided to reopen a trade confrontation with our northern neighbor, while repeatedly insulting Canada and its leaders. As an American, I find this both embarrassing and difficult to understand. What national interest do we advance by picking a fight with one of our closest friends?
The damage extends well beyond U.S.-Canada relations. Around the world, our democratic allies are increasingly unwilling to tolerate being bullied or humiliated by Washington. Canada may be the clearest example today, but I don’t think it will be the last.
That should worry us. For decades, one of America’s greatest strategic advantages has been our network of democratic allies. Weakening those relationships does not make America stronger. It makes us more isolated at a time when cooperation among democracies is needed most.
In pursuing “America First” at the expense of our closest allies, we risk ending up with something very different: “America Alone.”
Read more: The Free World Is Done With Trump the Bully
Trump’s ‘Oil Deal’ with Venezuela
Venezuela provided another troubling example of Trump’s foreign policy this month. President Trump unveiled a new oil agreement with Venezuela, which he called “the biggest oil deal in world history.”
That deal gives the United States government a major stake in the development of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. To me, this looks like straight-up imperialism, and I’m embarrassed to see my government engaging in it. My friends in the Venezuelan opposition also feel betrayed by this deal, which was negotiated with the illegitimate, autocratic leader, Delcy Rodriguez, who used to be Maduro’s vice president.
Making a deal with an illegitimate autocratic regime to extract another country’s natural resources is not only morally wrong—it’s also unlikely to work. If you’re the head of a serious American company, are you really going to trust the word of Donald Trump and Delcy Rodriguez? I doubt it.
I joined MS NOW to discuss why I believe there is a better path: support a democratic transition in Venezuela, and then work with a legitimate government to build a relationship that benefits both Venezuelans and Americans alike.
Watch more: My conversation with MS NOW on Trump’s Venezuela oil deal
Wrapping up Summer Fellows
As I mentioned last month, our Center on Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law (CDDRL) launched its annual Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program in July. When I was director of CDDRL, I started this program back in 2005, and it’s still going strong, bringing together democratic activists from around the world to learn from us at Stanford—but also to learn from each other.
I gave several talks to the group and attended a very emotional graduation ceremony in August. I also interacted with CDDRL’s Ukrainian leaders, who also come every year to our campus as part of our Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development Program. This year’s group was truly inspirational.
A Trip to Southeast Asia
With classes over for the summer, I also took the opportunity this month to travel to Indonesia and the Philippines for a two-week family vacation, my longest ever in decades! It was my first time visiting both countries. We spent most of our time in Indonesia. I came away deeply impressed by its extraordinary natural beauty, rich cultural history and, above all, the warmth and generosity of the people we met along the way.
However, the trip wasn’t without its hitches. I was on the island of Flores when a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast, triggering tsunami warnings and an evacuation to higher ground. I was incredibly grateful to the Indonesians who assisted us, and was impressed by the response from local authorities. We were fortunate to be safe, but I was saddened to learn there were casualties. My thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquake.
Finally…
On September 1, I started my first sabbatical ever after 30 years of teaching at Stanford!
For the next academic year, please don’t send me any requests for articles, books, or tenure reviews, or invites for guest lectures in your classes, or any committee work!
But I will continue to talk around the country and the world about my book, as I also begin follow-on projects about the future of America in the world. Stay tuned.
Mike
Wishing you a wonderful and restorative sabbatical, Mike. No one deserves it more.
Warmly,
John Fitton
Well done, Sir. You give us all some hope! Sincerely appreciate it