I’ll be in Santa Fe, NM, on Nov 17 for a talk on Power in a Changing World: America, China, and Russia. A conversation about why global leadership, not retreat, best serves U.S. interests. Hope to see you there! more details and tickets here: globalsantafe.org

"If American leaders want to win the ideological contest with China and Russia in this century, we must devote more attention to improving our democratic system of government at home": Read more here: tinyurl.com/5n9ammux

I’m for engagement, cooperation, and democracy — even when it’s hard. Those principles have served America well in the past, and they’ll serve us well in the future

By rejecting the lessons of the previous century, President Trump has undermined America’s advantage over China and Russia. Read more on my Substack: :https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelmcfaul/p/trump-is-demolishing-four-pillars?r=wl4o3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Trump Is Demolishing Four Pillars of American Power open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...

Russia is more isolated globally than it was 20 years ago, but the illiberal nationalist ideas Putin promotes have gained troubling traction in Europe/the U.S. Even as Russia weakens elsewhere, we’ve underestimated this ideological threat. From my recent conversation on the Russian Roulette podcast

My new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats, was written with all Americans in mind. I wanted to explain clearly why engaging with the world, working with (not against) our allies, and supporting democracy abroad are essential to America’s national interest. Learn more here: www.amazon.com/Autocrats-vs...

Competition and cooperation aren’t mutually exclusive. The Cold War showed we can — and sometimes must — do both, as I told Amna Nawaz on PBS News Hour

In case you missed it — I’m now on TikTok, sharing short videos on U.S., China, Russia, and global competition. Follow me here: www.tiktok.com/@michael_mcf... or find me @michael_mcfaul

I'm speaking about my book, AUTOCRATS VS DEMOCRATS, in Santa Fe on Monday, November 17 | 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm MDT New Mexico Military Museum globalsantafe.org

Engagement isn’t idealism, it’s security. Smart engagement protects U.S. security and democracy.

Engagement isn’t idealism, it’s security. Smart engagement protects U.S. security and democracy.

China is providing investment where low-income countries need it most. The U.S. isn’t offering a compelling alternative, and we’re losing ground. Here’s a short clip from my conversation on Forthright Radio. Full interview here: forthright.media/about/

China is providing investment where low-income countries need it most. The U.S. isn’t offering a compelling alternative, and we’re losing ground. Here’s a short clip from my conversation on Forthright Radio. Full interview here: forthright.media/about/

Enjoyed speaking with @kqedforum.bsky.social on the growing threats from Russia, Ukraine, and how autocrats are challenging the global order. These issues are at the heart of my book, Autocrats vs Democrats www.kqed.org/forum/2010101911993/michael-mcfaul-on-the-threat-of-autocracy-at-home-and-abroad

There are plenty of ideological debates worth having — tax policy, healthcare, you name it. But democracy itself shouldn’t be one of them

The warning signs are real, but so is the strength of our democracy

Denigrating the media, targeting rivals, undermining trust in the justice system. I’ve seen this playbook before in Putin’s Russia in the early 2000s. America’s democratic institutions may be stronger, but we should never take them—or our rights—for granted. As I told @IAmAmnaNawaz / @NewsHour.

Why Democracy Promotion Is as Vital as Ever open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...

I’ll be in Austin on Nov. 15 for the @TexasTribune Festival, joining panels on global security and democracy in a changing world. Looking forward to some great conversations and a stellar lineup of speakers: festival.texastribune.org/event/c17d2d...

I wrote this essay in March 2023. I still stand by it today. "Are All Russians Guilty for Russia's War in Ukraine?" open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...

If America wants to stay ahead of China, we have to re-engage with the world — trade more, invest more, and welcome top talent. Closing doors is not a winning strategy.

For those asking how to get a signed copy of AUTOCRATS VS DEMOCRATS, reach out to the Best Bookstore in Palm Springs. I signed some extra books last night. & more generally support local bookstores like this one by buying directly from them! www.bestbookstore.com

I'm speaking about AUTOCRATS VS DEMOCRATS in Santa Fe on Monday, November 17th. Details and registration here: globalsantafe.org

I'm speaking in Dallas next Sunday, Nov 16th. Details and registration here: www.dfwworld.org/event/mcfaul/

Autocrats vs. Democrats spotted "in the wild" — right next to my last book, From Cold War to Hot Peace! Thanks to Peter Baker for sharing this photo.

I’ve joined TikTok! I’ll be sharing short videos on the U.S., China, Russia, and global competition — plus what’s driving current world events. Follow along here: www.tiktok.com/@michael_mcf... or find me @michael_mcfaul

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.

"What Trump's Isolationism Means For America - and the World". Free excerpt from my new book published this week by @literaryhub.bsky.social

Speaking tomorrow night, 11/9, in Palm Springs at the World Affairs Council of the Desert www.worldaffairsdesert.org/Events

Loved this interview on the PBS Newshour: www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

Come and hear me speak about the ideas in my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats (more dates to come in 2026)! www.michaelmcfaul.com/events

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.

Excited to be heading to Austin on 15 Nov for the Texas Tribune Festival! I’ll be joining conversations on global security and the shifting balance between democracies and autocracies:

Fantastic crowd in Erie Pennsylvania tonight to listen to my talk about Autocrats vs Democrats! Civil society in America is alive and well.

A reminder of the upcoming stops on my book tour! More info here: www.michaelmcfaul.com/events

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

A spotting of both my books (signed copies!) @HarvardBooks. If you see Autocrats vs Democrats somewhere in the wild, send me a photo.

Cannot believe Speaker Pelosi is retiring! I feel so honored to have worked with her for so many years! She is the best!

Speaking in Erie, Pennsylvania tonight: www.jeserie.org/global-summi...

Interview with Tagesspiegel: www.tagesspiegel.de/internationales/ehemaliger-us-botschafter-in-moskau-russland-ist-eindeutig-die-schwachste-supermacht-14719601.html

Honored to visit the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington and give Ambassador @StefanishynaO a copy of my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats. The book is dedicated to those fighting for, and defending, democracy around the world — especially in Ukraine.

Was honored to give a copy of my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats, to Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington.

"What Donald Trump’s Isolationism Means For America—and the World" Check out this free extract from my new book, published by @literaryhub.bsky.social

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