Professor of Political Science, Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute & Hoover Institution, all at Stanford University. U.S. Ambassador to Russia, 2012-2014.
Stanford, California
Joined January 2012
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OUT TODAY!
My new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats, looks at the challenges posed by autocratic Russia and China and explains how/why the U.S. must lead the democratic world in response.
Available in stores or online: harpercollins.com/products/a…
@HooverInst @FSIStanford @MarinerBooks @HarperCollins
This weekend brought remarkable victories and hopeful developments for democracy in Serbia, Brazil, and Venezuela.
At a time when authoritarianism seems to be on the march, these events remind us that democracy can still prevail.
My latest: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p…
Michael McFaul retweeted
Read @McFaul on Putin’s “long courtship” of Trump—and how it has shaped the course of the war in Ukraine:
foreignaffairs.com/russia/pu…
Michael McFaul retweeted
On @Morning_Joe today to talk about how we, the United States, are helping Putin in his war against Ukraine.
It’s a trend for a purpose, and that purpose is not to end the war in Ukraine.
Breaking news: Trump considers dropping sanctions on Putin’s “slush fund”
The move would be the latest U.S. concession to Moscow.
nytimes.com/2026/10/27/us/po…
We will lift sanctions if you still fighting in Ukraine.
That would be a normal diplomatic deal.
We will lift sanctions if you continue to talk to us.
That’s Trump-style diplomacy.
Trump and his team are not trying to meditate an end to the war in Ukraine. They are helping Putin and themselves.
foreignaffairs.com/russia/pu… via @ForeignAffairs
More evidence that they are not trying to meditate an end to the war in Ukraine, but instead just trying to make money.
Another stunning report, from @antontroian, on another concession Trump wants to make toward Russia.
What we have zero news of is what Russia plans to concede in exchange for this—other than money for Trump family allies.
nytimes.com/2026/10/27/us/po…
On @Morning_Joe today to talk about how we, the United States, are helping Putin in his war against Ukraine.
I’ve spoken a lot about the troubling developments in Ukraine and democratic backsliding in the US. So, in my latest Substack, I wanted to focus on some good news for a change. Read more: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p…
Michael McFaul retweeted
It would not be “censorship” for social media platforms to require that users be who they say they are. Integrity & transparency shouldn’t be too much to ask.
The fatalistic assumption that autocracy in the world is rising and democracy is declining was challenged forcefully in three different countries this past weekend.
It's a moment worth celebrating.
Read more: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p…
Was on @Morning_Joe today with @EdwardGLuce when he said that Trump will not become a lame duck, but an "angry duck." That image has stuck with me.
"Nor are Europeans quitting on Ukraine. Although Putin hoped that the withdrawal of American military and economic aid early in Trump’s second term would lead to a quick Ukrainian collapse or capitulation, he did not anticipate how willing and capable European countries would be in filling the American void."
foreignaffairs.com/russia/pu…
Michael McFaul retweeted
My heart goes out to the brave soldiers of Ukraine who are manning the ramparts of liberty against aggression, rapacity and nihilism.
Poland will support free Ukraine until a just peace is achieved.
Michael McFaul retweeted
Astounding.
"U.S. policy could also change, especially after the midterm elections. American society does not support Trump’s embrace of Putin and abandonment of Ukraine, making it politically hard for the administration to maintain this policy pivot. If Democrats win control of one or both houses of Congress in midterm elections next week, they could very well use their new electoral mandate to investigate American-Russian business deals; introduce new legislation to restart American military and economic assistance to Ukraine and outlaw Starlink and Starshield disruptions; or deploy legislative action to enforce existing sanctions laws."
foreignaffairs.com/russia/pu…
Trump has returned to expressing open hostility [towards Zelensky], echoing Putin by proclaiming that it’s “time for Ukraine to get a new president.”
foreignaffairs.com/russia/pu…
"Trump’s support has bolstered Putin’s belief that time is on his side. In just the last few weeks, Trump and his allies have expanded his help to Moscow: suspending sanctions, buying Russian diesel, disrupting Ukraine’s access to Starlink and Starshield communications systems, and even insisting that Zelensky must go."
foreignaffairs.com/russia/pu…
