Michael McFaul: Autocrats vs Democrats and the New Global Order

In this Commonwealth Club World Affairs podcast, Gloria Duffy interviews Professor Michael McFaul, author of "Autocrats vs. Democrats," about his background, motivations for studying Russia, and the central themes of his book. McFaul discusses his upbringing in Montana, his initial interest in Russia during his time at Stanford, and his experiences in the Soviet Union that shaped his anti-communist views. The conversation covers the ideological struggle between autocracies and democracies, the role of institutions in promoting democracy, and the challenges posed by Russia and China. McFaul also shares his insights on the war in Ukraine, U.S. foreign policy, and the importance of alliances and multilateralism in addressing global issues.