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Michael McFaul

@mcfaulmike.bsky.social
31K followers 16 following 1.4K posts

Professor of Political Science, Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute & Hoover Institution, all at Stanford University. U.S. Ambassador to Russia, 2012-2014.

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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 17h
Russia has had the same leaders for 26 years. Why hasn’t Trump ever called for a new Russian president?
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 21h
Trump Has Shamelessly Abandoned Ukrainians Doing so does not advance American interests or values. michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trump-has-...
michaelmcfaul.substack.com
Trump Has Shamelessly Abandoned Ukrainians
Doing so does not advance American interests or values.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Why does Trump keep siding with dictators instead of democracies? michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trump-has-...
michaelmcfaul.substack.com
Trump Has Shamelessly Abandoned Ukrainians
Doing so does not advance American interests or values.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Read more in my latest Substack. "Trump has shamelessly abandoned Ukrainians" michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trump-has-...
michaelmcfaul.substack.com
Trump Has Shamelessly Abandoned Ukrainians
Doing so does not advance American interests or values.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Trump’s decision to buy billions of dollars of Russian diesel is a gift to Putin. It won’t solve America’s high gas prices, but it will put more money in Putin’s pockets to fund his war against Ukraine. Why does Trump keep siding with dictators instead of democracies?
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
On Taiwan National Day, publishing this: How to Avoid War Over Taiwan michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/how-to-avo...
michaelmcfaul.substack.com
How to Avoid War Over Taiwan
Preventing a catastrophic conflict with China requires stronger deterrence, greater preparedness, and a U.S. commitment to strategic ambiguity.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
My book starts in the 18th century. Trump is the first president in U.S. history to shamelessly embrace autocratic leaders and abandon democratic leaders around the world.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Autocrats are working together. Why aren't democracies? Nearly a year after publishing Autocrats vs. Democrats, I'm more convinced than ever that we need stronger democratic alliances & more international cooperation. But under Trump, I sometimes question which side we're on.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Autocrats are working together. Why aren't democracies? Nearly a year after publishing Autocrats vs. Democrats, I'm more convinced than ever that we need stronger democratic alliances & more international cooperation. But under Trump, I sometimes question which side we're on.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
We failed to deter Putin from invading Ukraine. We cannot afford to repeat that mistake with China & Taiwan. A war over Taiwan would be catastrophic for everyone. In my latest Substack, I share an excerpt from Autocrats vs. Democrats, on how to avoid it michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/how-to-avo...
michaelmcfaul.substack.com
How to Avoid War Over Taiwan
Preventing a catastrophic conflict with China requires stronger deterrence, greater preparedness, and a U.S. commitment to strategic ambiguity.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Former President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen just gave a terrific talk at @hooverinstitution.bsky.social @stanforduniversity.bsky.social Money line for me — sometimes it’s good to have boring politicians in power.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
This is how the United States can lose our great power competition with China. Attracting the best and the brightest from around the world has always been one of our competitive advantages during the Cold War and today.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
What is going on with our president? Calling people "THE ENEMY" for exercising their First Amendment rights is deeply disturbing. That's what autocratic leaders do, not American leaders. Doing so for such a trivial, vain matter is just nutty.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Despite maybe admiring them, our president is not a king, a tsar, or a general secretary of a communist party. He can’t do whatever he wants.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Event happening today! What do the U.S. midterms mean for the world? Join me and Larry Diamond for a conversation on this topic at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET via Zoom. Register here: www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/blog/event/o...
jewsunitedfordemocracy.org
America Votes, the World Watches: The Midterms and Global Battle for Democracy
Wednesday October 7 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. PT Register America Votes, the World Watches: The Midterms and Global Battle for Democracy Michael McFaul Michael McFaul is one of America’s leading experts on Ru...
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Event happening today! What do the U.S. midterms mean for the world? Join me and Larry Diamond for a conversation on this topic at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET via Zoom. Register here: www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/blog/event/o...
jewsunitedfordemocracy.org
America Votes, the World Watches: The Midterms and Global Battle for Democracy
Wednesday October 7 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. PT Register America Votes, the World Watches: The Midterms and Global Battle for Democracy Michael McFaul Michael McFaul is one of America’s leading experts on Ru...
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Join us:
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
53% of registered U.S. voters recently polled by YouGov selected 'corrupt' when asked which words they’d use to describe Trump. Corruption can take time to uncover, and even longer to register with the public. But I think Americans are starting to take note.
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Reposted by Michael McFaul
Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Do not become numb to how disgusting it is to hear an American president encouraging an enemy to “take out” two major American cities.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Do not become numb to how disgusting it is to hear an American president encouraging an enemy to “take out” two major American cities.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
53% of registered U.S. voters recently polled by YouGov selected 'corrupt' when asked which words they’d use to describe Trump. Corruption can take time to uncover, and even longer to register with the public. But I think Americans are starting to take note.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
As warned, Trump isn't using his new powers under the recently passed sanctions law to further punish Russia. Just the opposite: U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/u...
nytimes.com
U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies
President Vladimir V. Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with President Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pushing a deal that raises new questions about conflicts of inter...
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
2paragraphs.com/2026/10/form...
2paragraphs.com
Former U.S. Ambassador Asks Why Russia Isn’t on Terrorism List, “How in the World?”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul asked on social media Monday why Russia is not listed by the U.S. Department of State as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The three designated nations are
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Did anyone apologize or take responsibility for misspelling our country's name under President Trump's signature when he signed the letter with the AI CEOs? Or do we just roll along like it's no big deal? They keep talking about SI. I'd settle for BI: "basic intelligence."
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Putin launches attacks against Ukrainian civilians every day, but all that Trump envoys seem focused on is how to make money by working with him. The indifference to Putin's atrocities in pursuit of oil deals is deeply disturbing to me, and I bet it is to a lot of Americans. What are your thoughts?
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
A year later, I still believe this: The Case for Renewed Liberal Internationalism michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/the-case-f...
michaelmcfaul.substack.com
The Case for Renewed Liberal Internationalism
Why we must revive American engagement and democratic leadership.
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Michael McFaul @mcfaulmike.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
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 · 01/10/2026
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 · 01/10/2026
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 · 01/10/2026
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 · 30/09/2026
It’s AI not SI.
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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
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 · 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
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 : 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
Read more in my latest 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 · 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 · 25/09/2026
Power alone doesn't explain today’s great-power competition. This is not simply a new Cold War. America needs a different strategy. Want to know more? Get your copy of Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America & the New Global Disorder — 60% off on Amazon today:
amazon.com
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder – The Former Ambassador's Bold Vision for Confronting Authoritarian Threats: McFaul, Michael: 9780358677871: Amazon.com: Bo...
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder – The Former Ambassador's Bold Vision for Confronting Authoritarian Threats [McFaul, Michael] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shippin...
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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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