“They’re Not Like Us”: Michael McFaul on Autocrats vs. Democrats and the Fight for the Twenty-First Century | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution

The discussion centers on the global power balance between autocracies and democracies, particularly focusing on Russia and China's challenges to American dominance. Michael McFaul, former US Ambassador to Russia, argues that while the U.S. maintains advantages in education, GDP, and military strength when allied with the free world, these are not guaranteed. He recounts Russia's post-Soviet democratic backsliding, attributing it to Vladimir Putin's leadership and the missed opportunity with Boris Nemtsov. McFaul also addresses the debate over NATO expansion, asserting that democratic expansion, especially in Ukraine, poses a greater threat to Putin. The conversation further explores the complexities of dealing with leaders who don't share Western values, the need for strategic competition, and the importance of renewing American soft power and alliances to counter autocratic influence.