Tucson Festival of Books | Michael McFaul

Michael McFaul

Tiffany Ong

Michael McFaul is a Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies in the Department of Political Science at Stanford University.

Previously, he served in the Obama administration for five years, as a Special Assistant to the President and the Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs from 2009 to 2012. He then was a U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2012 to 2014. His latest book is "Autocrats Vs. Democrats."

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Scheduled events:

What Can We Learn from Ukraine?

Russia has been busy, invading Ukraine and violating the airspace of other Eastern European countries. Many believe it won’t stop there. How has Ukraine managed to stave off Russia’s power? Can it continue? In this session, we'll discuss what we have learned and how it informs our own interests today.

Integrated Learning Center Room 150 (Seats 155, Wheelchair accessible)

Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)

Panelists: Michael McFaul, Candace Rondeaux, Alexander Vindman
Moderator: Thomas Miller

Poking the Russian Bear

For centuries, the bear has symbolized Russia--strong yet brutal and clumsy. Three authors, who have encountered that easily provoked and cruel beast either personally or through the lens of history, will detail the dangers and opportunities of dealing with Russia in the 21st century.

Student Union Gallagher Theater (Seats 337)

Sun, Mar 15, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science

Panelists: Julia Ioffe, Michael McFaul, Candace Rondeaux
Moderator: Thomas Volgy

Books:

Autocrats Vs. Democrats

China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
HarperCollins Publishers
October 2025
ISBN 9780358677871
512 pages

From Cold War to Hot Peace

An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
HarperCollins Publishers
May 2019
ISBN 9781328624383
560 pages