Michael McFaul

Dr. Michael McFaul, a renowned figure in international affairs, holds various prestigious roles at Stanford University, including Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Affairs, professor of political science, and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution.

In addition to his academic engagements, Dr. McFaul is a notable analyst for NBC News and contributes a monthly column to The Washington Post, showcasing his expertise in Russian and Eurasian affairs.

His impressive background includes five years of service in the Obama administration, where he began as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council before becoming the U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation.

A prolific author, Dr. McFaul has penned several influential books, including the New York Times best-seller 'From Cold War to Hot Peace: A U.S. Ambassador in Putin's Russia' and 'Advancing Democracy Abroad: Why We Should, How We Can', among others.

His upcoming book, 'Great Power Competition in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Cold War for Competing with China and Russia Today', is highly anticipated for its insights into contemporary global dynamics.

Born and raised in Montana, Dr. McFaul pursued his education at Stanford University, where he obtained his B.A. in International Relations and Slavic Languages, and later completed his D. Phil. in International Relations at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

Throughout his career, Dr. McFaul has made significant contributions to academia, diplomacy, and media, shaping discourse on international relations and political affairs.

He has held key positions such as Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Affairs, Professor at Stanford University, Ambassador to the Russian Federation, and Special Assistant to the President at the National Security Council.