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.
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.
Thanks to Peter Baker for sharing this photo.
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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.
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
November 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
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.
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.
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
November 8, 2025 at 7:01 PM
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.
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.
Fantastic crowd in Erie Pennsylvania tonight to listen to my talk about Autocrats vs Democrats! Civil society in America is alive and well.
November 7, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Fantastic crowd in Erie Pennsylvania tonight to listen to my talk about Autocrats vs Democrats! Civil society in America is alive and well.
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
A spotting of both my books (signed copies!) @HarvardBooks. If you see Autocrats vs Democrats somewhere in the wild, send me a photo.
November 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
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!
November 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Cannot believe Speaker Pelosi is retiring! I feel so honored to have worked with her for so many years! She is the best!
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.
November 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM
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.
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Was honored to give a copy of my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats, to Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington.
This competition between autocrats and democrats will define the 21st century — but it’s not Cold War 2.0.
We need a strategy built for today’s world.
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. Order here: amazon.com/dp/0358677874
We need a strategy built for today’s world.
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. Order here: amazon.com/dp/0358677874
November 5, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This competition between autocrats and democrats will define the 21st century — but it’s not Cold War 2.0.
We need a strategy built for today’s world.
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. Order here: amazon.com/dp/0358677874
We need a strategy built for today’s world.
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. Order here: amazon.com/dp/0358677874
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
Still getting tons of great feedback from my event with @maddow.msnbc.com on my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats. Thank you, Rachel!
November 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Still getting tons of great feedback from my event with @maddow.msnbc.com on my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats. Thank you, Rachel!
@marinerbooks.bsky.social are giving away five free copies of my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. Entry ends soon, so don't forget to enter! m.cmpgn.page/J0tfSm
November 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
@marinerbooks.bsky.social are giving away five free copies of my new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. Entry ends soon, so don't forget to enter! m.cmpgn.page/J0tfSm
I signed 700 books in Cambridge! A world record for me.
November 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I signed 700 books in Cambridge! A world record for me.
Learn more in my book — 20% off on Amazon this week only: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
October 31, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Learn more in my book — 20% off on Amazon this week only: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874