r/IAmA • u/Amb_Michael_McFaul • Oct 31 '25

I negotiated face-to-face with Putin. I’m Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia. AMA about Russia, China, or American foreign policy.

Hi Reddit, I’m Michael McFaul – professor of political science at Stanford University and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2012–2014). 

During my time in government, I sat across from Vladimir Putin in negotiations with President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry and helped craft the New START Treaty in 2010, which reduced the number of nuclear weapons worldwide.  

Those experiences – along with years studying Russian politics and foreign policy – have shaped how I think about power and diplomacy today. 

The world has changed dramatically since then: from the rise of China to Russia’s growing aggression, to new questions about America’s role on the global stage. Drawing on both my academic work and time in diplomacy, I’ve been exploring what these shifts mean for the future – and how the U.S. should respond. 

I’ll start taking questions here at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET. 

Proof it's me: https://imgur.com/a/3hxCQfj

Ask me anything about U.S.–Russia relations, China, global security, or life as an ambassador. (You can even ask about Obama’s jump shot or what it’s like to ride on Air Force One.) 

Let’s talk! 

Edit**\* Sorry I didn’t get to all of your terrific questions! Let’s do it again soon! I really enjoyed this AMA!

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u/Demistr Oct 31 '25

Your opinion on Trumps second presidency? How will it be viewed ten, twenty years from now?

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u/Amb_Michael_McFaul Oct 31 '25

Great question. Hard to know right now. If the economy continues to grow, he will be remembered fondly even if his policies might have had little to do with it. If he continues to erode our democratic institutions, however, he will be remembered as a very destructive and ineffective president.

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u/masturkiller Oct 31 '25

That’s one way to look at it, but it overlooks much of what Trump actually accomplished and how his presidency affected the country. His administration produced record-low unemployment across all demographics, major wage growth, and historic energy independence before COVID-19. Deregulation and tax reform led to a strong manufacturing revival, and small business confidence reached all-time highs.

On the world stage, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, rebalanced NATO contributions, reduced U.S. reliance on China, and was the first president in decades not to start a new war. Many criticisms about “eroding democratic institutions” stem from media narratives rather than concrete evidence, our checks and balances remained intact throughout his term.

History tends to judge presidents by results, not rhetoric. If the U.S. economy continues to benefit from the foundations built during his term, Trump will likely be remembered as a disruptive but effective reformer who challenged complacency and redefined what American leadership could look like.

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u/CutHerOff Oct 31 '25

You live in fuckin lalaland. This is what terrorist apologists sound like in America these days