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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 18h

The U.S. is pulling out of yet another international institution—this time, an anti-corruption body. America does not become stronger by isolating itself.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 19h

I disagree with the idea that Trump is the symptom, not the cause of US foreign policy changes. Leaders also have agency. These mysterious structures did not compel the US to got to war with Iran, blow up our alliances, destroy our trade relations or threaten to invade Greenland. Trump did.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 21h

My September newsletter is out now! In it, I return to the major news stories of the last month, including Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S., Trump's new security deal on Greenland, UNGA, and more. Read it here: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/september-...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

September Newsletter: Xi Came to Washington. I Went to Australia.

Plus more on Greenland’s “historic” deal and why I’m still optimistic about American foreign policy in the long run.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 22h

Back in 2021–22, I was interviewed for the Obama Presidency Oral History project about my experiences serving in the Obama administration. We covered a lot of ground. You might find it interesting! Watch here: obamaoralhistory.columbia.edu/interviews/m...

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Being able to do a lot of push-ups doesn't help you fly drones. We need warriors for the 21st century, not the 12th.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I publish regular essays on U.S. foreign policy, democracy, Russia, Ukraine, China, and the global struggle between autocrats and democrats at McFaul’s World on Substack. It’s free to sign up and read. Subscribe here: michaelmcfaul.substack.com

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

On Iran, alliances, trade, Ukraine, and democracy, the polls tell a consistent story: Trump is out of step with the American public. Read more on Substack: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trumps-for...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump's Foreign Policy Doesn’t Have to Be America’s New Normal

On Iran, alliances, trade, Ukraine, and democracy, the polls tell a consistent story: Trump is out of step with the American public.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Not everything worth saying can be condensed into a single tweet. Sometimes, you need 534 pages. www.amazon.com/dp/035867787...

amazon.com

Amazon

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Case for Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Working Group Paper #5 The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions, September 28, 2022 fsi.stanford.edu/working-grou...

fsi.stanford.edu

The International Working Group on Russian Sanctions

Expert analysis and commentary by Stanford scholars on the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

After months of threats and tensions with a NATO ally, how much has the United States actually gained from the new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland? Your weekend read: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trumps-his...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump’s ‘Historic’ Greenland Deal Is Old Wine in New Bottles

After months of threats and tensions with a NATO ally, how much has the United States actually gained from the new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland?

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

My latest: Trump’s ‘Historic’ Greenland Deal Is Old Wine in New Bottles After months of threats and tensions with a NATO ally, how much has the United States actually gained from the new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland? michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trumps-his...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump’s ‘Historic’ Greenland Deal Is Old Wine in New Bottles

After months of threats and tensions with a NATO ally, how much has the United States actually gained from the new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland?

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Glad the Greenland deal was signed, if only to retire the crazy idea of the US annexing it. But I fear that Trump/his supporters will take away the wrong lesson: that bullying works. This could've been achieved through cooperation w/ a loyal democratic ally—without the threats.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Trump did not need to threaten annexation to expand America’s military presence in Greenland. The U.S. already had extensive rights under a 1951 agreement with Denmark. Cooperation could have achieved this deal without the damage caused by coercion: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trumps-his...

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Amid a flurry of major headlines this week, a new U.S.-Denmark-Greenland agreement perhaps slipped under the radar. Trump called the agreement “historic.” But how much of it is actually new? My latest on Substack: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trumps-his...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump’s ‘Historic’ Greenland Deal Is Old Wine in New Bottles

After months of threats and tensions with a NATO ally, how much has the United States actually gained from the new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland?

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Why does Trump like Xi and Putin so much and despise our democratic allies so much? Thoughts? Theories?

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Talking is good, diplomacy matters. But summits also need to deliver. After all the pomp and circumstance of the Trump-Xi summit, what did the United States actually get in return? Some thoughts:

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Freedom of the press has traditionally been one of the things that distinguishes our system from China's authoritarian model. Instead of showcasing that difference, an American president is generating headlines by undermining it.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Watching the Trump-Xi summit today, I’ve been reminded of the three reasons I wrote Autocrats vs. Democrats: 1. Power alone doesn’t explain today’s competition. 2. This is not simply a new Cold War. 3. America needs a different strategy. michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trump-xi-a...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump, Xi, and Why I Wrote Autocrats vs. Democrats

Understanding the new era of great power competition—and what America should do about it

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

On the very day that Trump hosts Xi at the White House, we're talking about him denying members of our free press access to cover it. Xi must love it. He gets to watch an American president generate headlines over one of the freedoms that has traditionally distinguished our system from his.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump, Xi, and Why I Wrote Autocrats vs. Democrats

Understanding the new era of great power competition—and what America should do about it

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

When Xi invokes the Thucydides Trap, as he did again today, he means he sees China as the rising power and the U.S. as the declining power. Kinda weird for an American president to just let that go, especially in remarks delivered in the White House. But these are not normal times.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Trump's aides are not serving him well. Having everyone discuss the denial of reporters' access to the White House to cover the Xi visit is crowding out any possible positive press that could come out of this summit.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I hope the White House's refusal to let these journalists in is just incompetence and not deliberate defiance of a court order. If the latter, we are in very dangerous waters regarding our democracy.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Xi's China is reaping the benefits of Trump’s damaging foreign policies. Trump needs to stop handing Xi gifts he didn't earn. michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/when-xi-me...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

When Xi Meets Trump, He Should Say Thank You

From war in Iran to threats against allies, China is reaping the benefits of Trump’s damaging foreign policies.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Foreign leaders Trump has personally greeted on the tarmac upon their arrival in the US: Vladimir Putin (Alaska, 2025) and Xi Jinping. Red carpets for both. Have I missed anyone else?

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Hope all of Trumps chummy treatment of Xi today will produce tangible achievements for Americans tomorrow.

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Reposted by Michael McFaul

Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

When Chinese leader Xi Jinping meets Trump, the first thing he should say is: thank you. Trump's foreign policy decisions have systematically weakened America's global position while strengthening China's. Here's how. 🧵 1/10

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

There's an assumption that Trump represents a permanent shift in US foreign policy. But the polling tells a different story. On NATO, Ukraine, Iran, tariffs, and the importance of democratic allies, Trump is out of step with most Americans. Read more: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trumps-for...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump's Foreign Policy Doesn’t Have to Be America’s New Normal

On Iran, alliances, trade, Ukraine, and democracy, the polls tell a consistent story: Trump is out of step with the American public.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Reagan rightly talked about "peace through strength." I agree 100% with that concept. But there is also "strength through peace." When we act as a country committed to peace, we gain influence worldwide. When we use our military ineffectively, as in Iran, that weakens the US.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Some thoughts on Trump's address at the UN General Assembly.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

My takeaways from Trump's speech: Trump seemed tired. The speech was tired. Nothing new. The audience seemed tired (lots of folks scrolling on their phones) Seems like everyone is tired of the Trump era? Seems like this era is winding down. Maybe this kicks in after 6 years of all presidencies ?

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Xi should say "thank you" to President Trump when they meet. His country is reaping the benefits of Trump's damaging foreign policies. My latest on Substack: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/when-xi-me...

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

A free press is supposed to hold our leaders accountable, not serve those in power. I saw what happened to independent media in Russia. I don’t want America to follow that path.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

In case you needed it, further evidence that Trump just doesn't care at all about democracy or human rights. In fact, he seems to prefer doing deals with autocrats over democratic countries.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Trumpism doesn't have to define American foreign policy after Trump. Americans still value our alliances. They sympathize with Ukraine over Russia. They still care about human rights and democracy abroad. The current trajectory is not immutable: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trumps-for...

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Not Popular And Need Not Endure Beyond His Presidency

Launching a war against Iran, fighting with allies, embracing dictators, and blowing up the international trading system is not what the Americans want.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Michael McFaul on Autocrats vs. Democrats The academic and former U.S. ambassador to Russia talks about the contrasts between Putin and Xi, and what Washington can do about their relationship with each other. www.thewirechina.com/2026/09/06/m...

thewirechina.com

Michael McFaul on Autocrats vs. Democrats - The Wire China

The academic and former U.S. ambassador to Russia talks about the contrasts between Putin and Xi, and what Washington can do about their relationship with each other.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

thewirechina.com

Michael McFaul on Autocrats vs. Democrats - The Wire China

The academic and former U.S. ambassador to Russia talks about the contrasts between Putin and Xi, and what Washington can do about their relationship with each other.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Your Sunday read: "Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Not Popular And Need Not Endure Beyond His Presidency"

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Your Sunday read: "Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Not Popular And Need Not Endure Beyond His Presidency"

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

michaelmcfaul.substack.com

Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Not Popular And Need Not Endure Beyond His Presidency

Launching a war against Iran, fighting with allies, embracing dictators, and blowing up the international trading system is not what the Americans want.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Trump has transformed US foreign policy. But has he transformed Americans’ views of the world? On NATO, Ukraine, Iran, trade, and democracy, the polling suggests not. Trump’s foreign policy today need not be America’s foreign policy tomorrow.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

After Trump signs the Russia sanctions bill, we can't just cheer and stop paying attention. We have to make sure that he actually uses the new powers in the law to implement meaningful sanctions against Russia and doesn’t abuse the new powers in the law for other foreign policy issues.

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