Michael McFaul
@mcfaulmike.bsky.social
Professor of Political Science, Director of Freeman Spogli Institute & Hoover Senior Fellow all at Stanford University. U.S. Ambassador to Russia, 2012-2014.
As an American, I’m worried about our polarization — and the rise of “not my problem” thinking. When America turns inward, the world gets more dangerous. For all of us.
November 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
As an American, I’m worried about our polarization — and the rise of “not my problem” thinking. When America turns inward, the world gets more dangerous. For all of us.
The U.S. can’t beat China by turning inward. We’ve stopped believing in trade, investing abroad, and attracting talent. Competing means doing the opposite — investing, trading, and welcoming the best minds, not shutting them out.
November 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The U.S. can’t beat China by turning inward. We’ve stopped believing in trade, investing abroad, and attracting talent. Competing means doing the opposite — investing, trading, and welcoming the best minds, not shutting them out.
The Cold War taught us that democracy is a strategic asset. In today’s great power competition, we must again stand with democracies and democratic ideals. That’s our enduring advantage over autocracies.
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The Cold War taught us that democracy is a strategic asset. In today’s great power competition, we must again stand with democracies and democratic ideals. That’s our enduring advantage over autocracies.
An amazing night in Washington — a room full of passionate democrats from Armenia to Zimbabwe, all working to strengthen freedom and democratic values around the world
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An amazing night in Washington — a room full of passionate democrats from Armenia to Zimbabwe, all working to strengthen freedom and democratic values around the world
How we use power today shapes what others think they can do tomorrow. Unilateral U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean hurt American national interests in the long run. From my recent conversation with PoliticsGirl
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
How we use power today shapes what others think they can do tomorrow. Unilateral U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean hurt American national interests in the long run. From my recent conversation with PoliticsGirl
2/3 But key differences make this rivalry very different from the Cold War:
- We are economically connected in ways unimaginable with the USSR
- China isn’t trying to export its ideology worldwide
- America today is more polarized and more isolationist
- We are economically connected in ways unimaginable with the USSR
- China isn’t trying to export its ideology worldwide
- America today is more polarized and more isolationist
November 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
2/3 But key differences make this rivalry very different from the Cold War:
- We are economically connected in ways unimaginable with the USSR
- China isn’t trying to export its ideology worldwide
- America today is more polarized and more isolationist
- We are economically connected in ways unimaginable with the USSR
- China isn’t trying to export its ideology worldwide
- America today is more polarized and more isolationist
1/3 Are we in a new Cold War with China? Yes — and no. And understanding the similarities and differences matters.
First: Yes, there are parallels with the Cold War:
-Two dominant superpowers
- An ideological contest for global influence
- A long-term rivalry that won’t end soon
First: Yes, there are parallels with the Cold War:
-Two dominant superpowers
- An ideological contest for global influence
- A long-term rivalry that won’t end soon
November 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
1/3 Are we in a new Cold War with China? Yes — and no. And understanding the similarities and differences matters.
First: Yes, there are parallels with the Cold War:
-Two dominant superpowers
- An ideological contest for global influence
- A long-term rivalry that won’t end soon
First: Yes, there are parallels with the Cold War:
-Two dominant superpowers
- An ideological contest for global influence
- A long-term rivalry that won’t end soon
A unilateral, bullying strategy doesn’t work against a country with global economic power. Discussing the Trump–Xi meeting and the "trade truce" with AlexWitt on MSNBC.
November 4, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A unilateral, bullying strategy doesn’t work against a country with global economic power. Discussing the Trump–Xi meeting and the "trade truce" with AlexWitt on MSNBC.
This weekend, I discussed U.S. strikes against alleged drug boats with MSNBC's Alex Witt.
Unilateral military action without allied support weakens democratic norms — and hands autocrats a talking point.
It’s part of the larger struggle I examine in Autocrats vs. Democrats.
Unilateral military action without allied support weakens democratic norms — and hands autocrats a talking point.
It’s part of the larger struggle I examine in Autocrats vs. Democrats.
November 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This weekend, I discussed U.S. strikes against alleged drug boats with MSNBC's Alex Witt.
Unilateral military action without allied support weakens democratic norms — and hands autocrats a talking point.
It’s part of the larger struggle I examine in Autocrats vs. Democrats.
Unilateral military action without allied support weakens democratic norms — and hands autocrats a talking point.
It’s part of the larger struggle I examine in Autocrats vs. Democrats.
We’re living through a major shift in world politics — and democracies need a strategy.
In 90 seconds, here’s what motivated me to write Autocrats vs. Democrats
Get your copy here: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
In 90 seconds, here’s what motivated me to write Autocrats vs. Democrats
Get your copy here: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
November 3, 2025 at 8:56 PM
We’re living through a major shift in world politics — and democracies need a strategy.
In 90 seconds, here’s what motivated me to write Autocrats vs. Democrats
Get your copy here: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
In 90 seconds, here’s what motivated me to write Autocrats vs. Democrats
Get your copy here: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
Putin isn’t strong — he’s aggressive.
That’s a crucial difference.
Trump has often admired the wrong kind of power. I hope his new assessment lasts, and turns into real support for Ukraine.
As I told @FareedZakaria — and write in my book, Autocrats vs. Democrats:
www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
That’s a crucial difference.
Trump has often admired the wrong kind of power. I hope his new assessment lasts, and turns into real support for Ukraine.
As I told @FareedZakaria — and write in my book, Autocrats vs. Democrats:
www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
November 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Putin isn’t strong — he’s aggressive.
That’s a crucial difference.
Trump has often admired the wrong kind of power. I hope his new assessment lasts, and turns into real support for Ukraine.
As I told @FareedZakaria — and write in my book, Autocrats vs. Democrats:
www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
That’s a crucial difference.
Trump has often admired the wrong kind of power. I hope his new assessment lasts, and turns into real support for Ukraine.
As I told @FareedZakaria — and write in my book, Autocrats vs. Democrats:
www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874