Michael McFaul

Michael McFaul
Name	Michael McFaul
Caption	McFaul in 2012
Office	United States Ambassador to Russia
President	Barack Obama
Term start	January 10, 2012
Term end	February 28, 2014
Predecessor	John Beyrle
Successor	John F. Tefft
Birth date	1 October 1963
Birth place	Glasgow, Montana, U.S.
Spouse	Donna G. McFaul
Alma mater	Stanford University (BA, MA, PhD)
Party	Democratic

Michael McFaul is an American academic, author, and diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. A leading scholar of Russia and post-Soviet states, he was a key architect of the U.S. policy "reset" with Russia under President Barack Obama. Prior to his diplomatic service, he was a professor of political science and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Early life and education

Born in Glasgow, Montana, he developed an early interest in international affairs. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Slavic Studies. He remained at Stanford for his graduate work, earning a Master of Arts in Soviet and Eastern European Studies. His doctoral research, conducted during the tumultuous final years of the Soviet Union, focused on the Revolutions of 1989 and democratization, culminating in a PhD in political science.

Academic career

He joined the faculty of Stanford University as a professor of political science, specializing in comparative politics and international relations. His scholarly work extensively analyzed political development in Russia, other post-Soviet states, and Eastern Europe. He authored and edited several influential books, including *Russia's Unfinished Revolution* and *Advancing Democracy Abroad*. As a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, he directed the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. His expertise made him a frequent commentator for outlets like CNN and BBC World News.

Diplomatic service

In 2009, he was appointed Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Senior Director for Russia and Eurasia on the National Security Council. In this role, he was a principal architect of the "reset" policy aimed at improving bilateral relations with Moscow. He played a key part in negotiating the New START treaty and facilitating Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization. In 2012, he was confirmed by the United States Senate as the United States Ambassador to Russia. His tenure in Moscow was marked by significant challenges, including the Bolotnaya Square case, the implementation of the Magnitsky Act, and the escalating tensions following the annexation of Crimea.

Post-ambassadorial career

Following his diplomatic service, he returned to Stanford University as a professor of political science and a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. He also became a contributing columnist for The Washington Post and a political analyst for NBC News. He remains a prominent voice on Russia-United States relations, authoring the memoir *From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia*. He continues to advise on foreign policy and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Political views and commentary

He is a proponent of a foreign policy grounded in support for democracy and human rights, often critiquing the authoritarian governance of Vladimir Putin. His analyses frequently appear in major media such as The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, and CNN. He has been a consistent critic of Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections and subsequent election interference efforts. While supportive of engagement, he advocates for a firm stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine and its confrontational posture toward the NATO alliance.

Personal life

He is married to Donna G. McFaul, an educator. The couple has two sons. His family accompanied him to Moscow during his ambassadorship. He is known to be fluent in Russian, a skill honed during his academic research and diplomatic postings. In addition to his professional writing, he is an active user of social media platforms like Twitter to engage with the public on foreign policy issues.

Category:American political scientists Category:American diplomats Category:United States ambassadors to Russia Category:Stanford University faculty