Autocracy in America The Warning
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Sep 23, 2025 Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and Stanford professor, shares his insights on authoritarianism and democracy. He reflects on his experiences during Putin's rise and draws alarming parallels with the Trump administration's tactics. McFaul discusses how oligarchs facilitated Putin's power grab and warns Americans about the erosion of democratic norms. Despite the serious threats posed, he offers a glimmer of hope for renewal in the democratic landscape.
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Dual-Track Diplomacy In Moscow
- Michael McFaul recounts using a dual-track diplomacy that engaged both the Russian government and civil society during the early 2000s.
- He describes hosting opposition figures and civil-society events alongside government meetings to pursue concrete goals like New START.
Arriving During Russia’s 2011–12 Protests
- McFaul describes arriving in 2012 amid mass protests against falsified elections and being portrayed as fomenting revolution.
- He recounts personal hostility from Putin and limited relations with the Kremlin thereafter.
How Economic Deals Enabled Control
- Putin gained oligarch acquiescence by cutting taxes and reshaping media ownership to reward compliant elites.
- That early deal-making later backfired when dissenting businessmen were arrested and assets seized.
