Michael McFaul: Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia on Putin, China, and the Future of Democracy

In this episode of All Things Negotiation, Stanford professor and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul discusses the difference between autocrats and democrats. How leaders like Putin, Xi, and Trump think differently than leaders who seek to protect democratic institutions. As someone who has known Putin since before his rise to power, Ambassador Mcfaul explains why he is not interested in personal friendship with American leaders and how offering unilateral concessions yields nothing in return.Ambassador McFaul reflects on the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, arguing it successfully constrained Iran’s program and that Trump’s withdrawal accelerated Iran’s capacity while failing to meet stated objectives. He explains how autocrats are paranoid about democratic ideas, and he traces Putin’s evolution and obsession with Ukraine. The conversation covers leadership, U.S. polarization and isolationism, President Zelensky’s wartime transformation, the strategic importance of aiding Ukraine for European security and Taiwan deterrence, and how China uses international institutions and new multilateral bodies while maintaining a limited partnership with Russia.Check out Michael’s new book: https://www.amazon.com/Autocrats-vs-Democrats-America-Disorder/dp/B0DW2GWHLQ02:59 IRAN & THE NUCLEAR DEAL06:21 UNDERSTANDING PUTIN14:14 NEGOTIATING WITH PUTIN18:47 TRUMP & THE AUTOCRATIC PLAYBOOK22:38 NAVALNY25:13 POSSIBLE BUMPER28:21 BEGIN ENDING28:28 UKRAINE & ZELENSKY39:37 CHINA & XI47:25 MOVE FORWARD50:07 ALLIES & CLOSING