Impolitic with John Heilemann Michael McFaul Pt 2: Autocrats Versus Democrats in Russia, China & America
Jan 12, 2026
Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Stanford professor, dives into the ongoing clash between autocrats and democrats, focusing on the U.S., Russia, and China. He critiques Trump's diplomacy, revealing missed opportunities with Putin and the implications for Ukraine. McFaul discusses the importance of U.S. engagement, contrasting it with isolationism and emphasizing the internal ideological struggle within nations. Historical parallels to past crises are drawn, urging resilience for democracy amid challenges.
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Recommit To Liberal Internationalism
- McFaul argues U.S. foreign policy should prioritize engagement, alliances, and democratic values over transactional deals.
- He wrote Autocrats vs. Democrats to defend liberal internationalism amid rising authoritarianism at home and abroad.
Negotiations Need Leverage, Not Just Talks
- McFaul says Trump's diplomacy engaged but rewarded Putin without changing his incentives.
- He argues lasting progress requires reducing Putin's capabilities with more weapons for Ukraine and tougher sanctions on Russia.
Businessmen At The Kremlin Table
- McFaul recounts meeting Russian figures like Kirill Dmitriev and seeing how business mingles with Kremlin diplomacy.
- He describes a Putin meeting with three businesspeople present, signaling peace-talks driven by commercial interests.
