Opinion Pieces | MICHAEL McFAUL

On Substack

Feb 22, 2026

I was US ambassador to Russia. Trump’s recklessness is playing into Putin’s hands

After a year of talks, what is now clear is that President Donald Trump is not committed to negotiating a dignified peace. Instead, he wants an end to the war at whatever cost to Ukraine so that he can claim his coveted Nobel Peace Prize and get on with improving relations with his friend in Moscow.

The I Paper

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April 17, 2024

Goodbye to my fearless friend, Alexei Navalny

March 4, 2024

Michael McFaul on Russian presidential election and Alexei Navalny’s legacy

November 16, 2023

Should we seize Russian funds to pay for the war in Ukraine? Commentators weigh in.

June 20, 2023

The U.S. needs to launch a diplomatic surge on Ukraine

January 24, 2023

Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Putinism?

January 4, 2023

The world can’t allow the ex-president of Georgia to die in detention

Here’s what a presidential phone call with a foreign leader looks like in a normal White House

Sep 30, 2019 Washington Post

How Vladimir Putin is outplaying the U.S. in Africa

Sep 17, 2019 Washington Post

In foreign policy, Trump gets points for creativity. Results, not so much.

Sep 10, 2019 Washington Post

China is winning the ideological battle with the U.S.

Jul 23, 2019 Washington Post

Trump needs to stop siding with our adversaries against other Americans

May 28, 2019 Washington Post

Europe’s Glorious Years of Peace and Prosperity

May 4, 2019 The New York Times

Trump’s denuclearization strategies for Iran and North Korea are totally opposite. Why?

Mar 1, 2019 Washington Post

Sorry, but Trump is not ‘tough on Russia’

Jan 16, 2019 Washington Post

Why Vladimir Putin is a terrible strategist

Dec 17, 2018 Washington Post

A Cold War with China is a Choice, Not a Destiny

Nov 28, 2018 Medium