Stanford University
Michael McFaul is the Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is also a professor of political science at Stanford University, where he formerly served as director of its Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.
McFaul is a former non-resident associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and served as an advisor to Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. From 2012-2014, he served as the US ambassador to Russia.
The attack on Syria: Risky, illegal... or about time? At dinner last night at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump told China's Xi Jinping that he'd ordered a Tomahawk missile strike against Syria. A bit later, Mr. Trump made a public statement , explaining that he'd retaliated against Bashar al-Assad for Monday's chemical attack that killed at least 80 fellow Syrians, including women and children. Last night's surprise missile attack on a Syrian airbase was President Trump's reaction to the reported use of chemical weapons by Bashar al-Assad. Is it a limited message about a new Red Line, or an overnight policy change that reverses Trump's long time promise of "America First?" Both parties in Congress are mostly supportive, while demanding clarification — and a role in future decisions. Russia says it's a "significant blow" to relations. Despite past isolationist rhetoric, the President himself says his views have changed toward his presidency and his role in the world.
Russia's Currency Crisis The price of oil and economic sanctions have panicky Russian consumers rushing to buy whatever they can as the ruble loses its value, but at today's three-hour, end-of-the-year news conference, Vladimir Putin said , not to worry: the crisis will only last a couple of years. He blamed the US and Europe, said the Russian bear won't be chained up -- saying he was referring to nuclear weapons. We look at what might be in store for Ukraine and at the role of Saudi Arabia in Russia's economic decline.
Bush Talks Tough to Russia President Bush says the humanitarian effort in Georgia will be going on for a while...but he doesn't have long in office. So what about the candidates to replace him?
Bush Promises Aid to Georgia, Talks Tough to Russia Grim-faced at the White House today, President Bush said an American plane is on its way to Georgia with relief in the aftermath of Russia's invasion. He said the Pentagon will launch a humanitarian mission involving both aircraft and Naval forces. In his statement, Bush said Russian troop movements are "inconsistent" with its commitment to a ceasefire, and demanded that Russia keep the supply lines open. Moscow has angrily denied claims that it's violated the ceasefire. Will the Pentagon's humanitarian effort require troops on the ground? Will Washington try to punish Moscow diplomatically? We look for answers and also talk with top advisors to John McCain and Barack Obama .
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
