World Class

Feb 24 2025 158 ep. 37 mins 558

World Class Podcast artwork

Podcast from the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) at Stanford University, featuring Director Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia. Mike and our scholars dive into critical international issues, offering insights into the history and context of the biggest stories in the news.

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Three Years of War in Ukraine

Feb 24 2025 26 mins

Three years into Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine remains a sovereign democracy. But changes in the U.S. and shifts in the international security landscape could drastically impact the trajectory of the war and Ukraine's future. Former ambassador Steven Pifer joins Michael McFaul to discuss what's been happening and how it may affect Kyiv, Europe, and the world order more broa

Understanding China's 'Upstart' Strategy

Feb 19 2025 24 mins

China is rapidly gaining influence and power on the global stage, and if the United States wants to stay ahead, Oriana Skylar Mastro says we need to fundamentally rethink our understanding of how Beijing is competing and the strategies America can use to counter an "upstart" great power.

Vladimir Kara-Murza on the Future of Russian Democracy

Dec 13 2024 26 mins

Former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza joins Michael McFaul to discuss why he believes the long-term stability of Europe depends on the existence of a free, fair, and democratic Russia, and what can be done now to start preparing for that future.

Whatever Victory Takes: Ambassador Audra Plepytė on Support for Ukraine

Nov 08 2024 27 mins

Audra Plepytė, Lithuania's Ambassador to the United States, shares her views on Ukraine's struggle against Russia from the perspective of Lithuania, another former Soviet state, and explains why preserving Ukraine's sovereignty is crucial for maintaining stability and security in the international order.

Global Threats Today: The 2024 Edition

Oct 31 2024 35 mins

Climate change, Russia and Ukraine, China, the Middle East, global democracy: how are we doing on some of the biggest challenges facing the world today? Michael McFaul talks to a panel of experts to assess what progress has been made and what more can be done to tackle these issues.

An Inside Look at Policymaking with Susan E. Rice

Jul 17 2024 34 mins

Ambassador Susan Rice shares some of the lessons she's learned about perseverance and humility during her long career in government and policy making.

The View on Russia from Estonia

Jun 17 2024 17 mins

Estonia's Ambassador to the U.S. Kistjan Prikk joins Michael McFaul to discuss his country's view on Russia's military, Putin's nuclear threats, and the long-term impact the war in Ukraine will have on European security.

Strategic Responsibility in the EU, United States, and Beyond

Jun 06 2024 29 mins

Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, joins Michael McFaul to discuss how the European Union, United States, and their allies can better cooperate on pressing global issues like the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, competition with China, and rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats.

Global Security Lies in Human Security, Says Oleksandra Matviichuk

Apr 30 2024 28 mins

A world that is not safe for some is a world not safe for anyone. On this episode, Michael McFaul brings you remarks from Oleksandra Matviichuk, an accomplished human rights lawyer, who explains what's at stake if democracies fail to stand by their values and win wars against autocracies.

The Widening Cracks in Iran's Regime

Mar 20 2024 20 mins

The historically low voter turnout at Iran's recent parliamentary elections is a warning to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that the public is not content with the regime's oppressive status quo, says Dr. Abbas Milani. He joins Michael McFaul on World Class to discuss the implications of the growing dissent and how it might shape Iran's domestic and international politics.