Q&A with Michael McFaul: Register here! I'll be hosting a Zoom call with subscribers on April 24 at 12 pm PDT / 3 pm EDT

I'll be hosting a live Q&A session with my Substack subscribers this Friday, 24 April, at 12pm PDT / 3pm EDT. Sign up here:

Great Power Relations in the 21st Century: My Stanford Course Syllabus The texts, ideas, and debates shaping the seminar

In case you missed it, I posted the syllabus for my seminar on great power competition earlier this week, covering the texts, ideas, and debates shaping the course. My book Autocrats vs. Democrats anchors the syllabus if you’re looking for a place to start!

Michael McFaul: Ask Me Anything I'll be hosting a Zoom call with paid subscribers on Friday 24 April at 12 PDT / 3 EDT

I'll be hosting a Q+A with my Substack subscribers this Friday, 24 April, 12PDT/3EDT. More details on registration to follow: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/michael-mc...

After the war ends, NATO needs Ukraine.

A lesson from Hungary? Election winner Peter Magyar hardly ever spoke about democracy and dictatorship. He focused instead on corruption and rising costs, tying people’s struggles to the decisions and actions of those in power. That’s what resonated with voters.

Thank you, UC Irvine & the World Affairs Council of Orange County, for hosting a terrific event on my book, AUTOCRATS VS DEMOCRATS, on Friday. Could not believe the turnout on a Friday night! Americans are engaged in what is happening in the world today.

I’m teaching a seminar on great power relations this quarter. The full syllabus is now online. I’ll host a virtual discussion at the end of term so stay tuned for more details. Suggestions for future readings also welcome! michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/great-powe...

I’m teaching a seminar on great power relations this quarter. The full syllabus is now online. I’ll host a virtual discussion at the end of term so stay tuned for more details. Suggestions for future readings also welcome! michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/great-powe...

Great Power Relations in the 21st Century: My Stanford Course Syllabus The texts, ideas, and debates shaping the seminar

I’m teaching a seminar on great power relations this quarter. The full syllabus is now online. I’ll host a virtual discussion at the end of term so stay tuned for more details. Suggestions for future readings also welcome! michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/great-powe...

To state the obvious (but being forgotten by many), we didn’t need to go to war to open the Strait of Hormuz. It was already open. To claim this outcome as a war achievement is paradoxical.

Global Analysis with Ambassador Michael McFaul Join the World Affairs Council of Orange County for an evening with Ambassador Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Stanford University professor, and one of America’s most respected…

Come here my book talk tonight on AUTOCRATS VS DEMOCRATS at UC Irvine. General registration is sold out, but is still open for UCI staff and students:

worldaffairscouncil.org/event/global...

Michael McFaul: America Is Burning Down Everything It Built. Its Enemies Can't Believe Their Luck ➡️ Watch the full interview ad-free, join a community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics ➡️ Buy your own…

I recently appeared on the Decoding Geopolitics podcast to discuss Iran, NATO, transatlantic relations, and the broader contest between democracy and autocracy. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZy3...

Foreign policy should not be driven by the whims of one man. The interagency process I saw during the Obama administration—where many voices talked, debated, and worked through the consequences of decisions—is all but gone. This over-personalization of foreign policy is dangerous

Michael McFaul: America Is Burning Down Everything It Built. Its Enemies Can't Believe Their Luck ➡️ Watch the full interview ad-free, join a community of geopolitics enthusiasts and gain access to exclusive content on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DecodingGeopolitics ➡️ Buy your own…

I recently appeared on the Decoding Geopolitics podcast to discuss Iran, NATO, transatlantic relations, and the broader contest between democracy and autocracy. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZy3...

Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder Ambassador Michael McFaul, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2012-2014) and Ken Oliver and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies in Political Science at Stanford Universi...

Speaking today about Autocrats vs. Democrats today at UCLA. international.ucla.edu/institute/ev...

NATO is for mutual defense, not a blank check for fighting other people’s wars. Its essence is prevention, not intervention. The alliance was designed to deter conflict, not to seek it out.

By disrupting the global economic order, we are making Beijing look like the rational, prudent alternative. Impressions matter. Right now, our global reputation is tanking while Beijing reaps the rewards. Watch in full: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZy3...

Stanford University

Gave a couple of talk to @stanforduniversity.bsky.social advisory groups this week and was reminded of how much this university has given to me and my family, and what an awesome place it still remains to work and live. Thank you Stanford!

As peace talks with Iran hit a dead end, our president and secretary of state—the country's top diplomat—were ringside at a UFC fight. The Trump administration is doing lasting damage to our reputation on the world stage.

Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder | UCLA Law

Speaking tomorrow at UCLA about my new book. Come if you can!

law.ucla.edu/events/autoc...

As peace talks with Iran hit a dead end, our president and secretary of state—the country's top diplomat—were ringside at a UFC fight. The Trump administration is doing lasting damage to our reputation on the world stage.

Opinion | Viktor Orbán’s loss matters far beyond Hungary Michael McFaul: In the 21st-century struggle between autocrats and democrats, these election results rank among the most significant outcomes in the past 20 years.

"In the 21st-century struggle between autocrats and democrats, these election results in Hungary rank among the most significant outcomes in the past 20 years."
www.ms.now/opinion/vikt...

The U.S. and Russia were both backing the same candidate in Hungary’s recent election (and he lost). Peter Magyar’s victory is great news for Hungary, Ukraine, Europe and small-d democrats everywhere. Read more: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/viktor-orb...

Opinion | Viktor Orbán’s loss matters far beyond Hungary Michael McFaul: In the 21st-century struggle between autocrats and democrats, these election results rank among the most significant outcomes in the past 20 years.

Orbán’s defeat could signal the peak of power for illiberal populist nationalists in Europe and perhaps also the United States, writes @mcfaulmike.bsky.social in @msnowreports.bsky.social.

Viktor Orban’s Loss Is Democracy’s Gain A win for Hungary, Ukraine, Europe and small-d democrats everywhere

In the 21st-century struggle between autocrats and democrats, the recent election results in Hungary rank among the most significant outcomes in the past 20 years. My latest on Substack: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/viktor-orb...

Opinion | Viktor Orbán’s loss matters far beyond Hungary Michael McFaul: In the 21st-century struggle between autocrats and democrats, these election results rank among the most significant outcomes in the past 20 years.

My latest:
www.ms.now/opinion/vikt...

In what will be a long struggle between Autocrats vs. Democrats in the 21st century, Hungary's election yesterday was a giant win for the democrats!

Why Viktor Orban's Fidesz Party Lost The opposition’s stunning victory offers lessons for U.S. Democrats—and a warning for Trump’s allies.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/12/w...