Opinion Pieces

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

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

The pandemic shows that Putin is not a strong leader

May 20, 2020 Washington Post

We need to start preparing for the November election — now

Apr 15, 2020 Washington Post

It’s imperative for the U.S. and China to work together on the coronavirus pandemic

Mar 26, 2020 Washington Post

Thanks for defending democracy, Mike Pompeo. So when will Trump change his policies?

Feb 21, 2020 Washington Post

Chinese Dreams, Russian Realities

Jan 23, 2020 The Moscow Times

Be prepared to fight a dangerous new wave of disinformation during the Senate trial

Jan 13, 2020 Washington Post

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

Goodbye to my fearless friend, Alexei Navalny

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

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

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

Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Putinism?

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

Browse All Opinion Pieces

The pandemic shows that Putin is not a strong leader

We need to start preparing for the November election — now

It’s imperative for the U.S. and China to work together on the coronavirus pandemic

Thanks for defending democracy, Mike Pompeo. So when will Trump change his policies?

Chinese Dreams, Russian Realities

Be prepared to fight a dangerous new wave of disinformation during the Senate trial

The Minimal Value of Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran

Here’s how Trump can get a win with Russia — and actually help all Americans

Here’s how Russia will attack the 2020 election. We’re still not ready.

The Deeply Dedicated State

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