McFaul's World | Substack

May 2026 Newsletter: China, Russia, America and the New Global Disorder

Cracks in Putin’s dictatorship, the Trump-Xi summit, and my recent visit to Beijing.

Jun 1 • Michael McFaul

Beijing Trip Report

Impressions from a week in the Middle Kingdom in the wake of Trump and Putin visits.

May 30 • Michael McFaul

My Conversations with Stephen Colbert

Revisiting two appearances on The Late Show during pivotal moments in U.S.-Russia relations.

May 22 • Michael McFaul

Happy Talk in Beijing, but Few Gains for America (Yet)

Despite the pomp and ceremony, the summit made little progress in advancing American national interests—at least for now

May 18 • Michael McFaul

Détente 2.0: Hoping for a Boring Summit in Beijing

Trump is weaker, and Xi is stronger, since their last summit in Beijing. But the U.S. does not have to remain in this state of weakness forever.

May 12 • Michael McFaul

Highlights

Putin Is Helping our Enemy in Iran

He should be punished for that decision, not rewarded for it.

Mar 20 • Michael McFaul

An Embarrassed American in Europe

Trip report from the 2026 Munich Security Conference

Feb 17 • Michael McFaul

Ukraine is not losing the war, but it cannot fight forever

A lasting peace will require Europe and America to work together to raise the cost of war for Russia

Jan 26 • Michael McFaul

Autocrats vs. Democrats

Viktor Orban’s Loss Is Democracy’s Gain

A win for Hungary, Ukraine, Europe and small-d democrats everywhere

Apr 14 • Michael McFaul

Trump Is Demolishing Four Pillars of American Power

By rejecting the lessons of the previous century, the president has undermined America’s advantage over China and Russia.

Nov 14, 2025 • Michael McFaul

Why Democracy Promotion Is as Vital as Ever

An excerpt from my book, as published in the Journal of Democracy

Nov 11, 2025

Newsletters

April 2026: Iran at an Impasse, Hungary Offers Hope, and Back in the Classroom

U.S. strategy under strain abroad—and democratic renewal in Europe

May 2 • Michael McFaul

March 2026: Trump Goes to War, Putin Reaps the Reward

The fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and its implications for global geopolitics

Apr 2 • Michael McFaul

February 2026: From Ukraine to Iran, a World Growing More Dangerous

My writing, interviews, and events from February 2026

Mar 4 • Michael McFaul

Podcast & Video

Autocrats vs. Democrats: My Annapolis Book Festival Talk

Watch the complete talk and discussion here

May 2 • Michael McFaul

47:09

Q&A with McFaul

A recording from Michael McFaul's live video

Apr 10 • Michael McFaul and Jennifer Monaghan

42:14

Discussing Iran with Katie Couric

A recording from Michael McFaul and Katie Couric's live video

Mar 3 • Michael McFaul and Katie Couric

McFaul's World

McFaul's World

Explaining international politics, and especially the fight between autocrats and democrats in the world today.

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