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Michael McFaul

Reviewing the reset with Russia

By Demdigest on June 23, 2010

Analysts are using the occasion of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s arrival in the United States today to reconsider the Obama administration’s reset of relations with Moscow.
Russian officials are reportedly pleased that Washington “scolds Russia less often on human rights and democracy,” but some observers criticize the Obama administration for making too many concessions without reaping [read full story]

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Supporting democracy: don’t shy away from ‘d’ word – or U.S. role

By Michael Allen on March 31, 2010

In an administration reportedly reluctant to highlight the ‘d’ word as a foreign policy priority, Michael McFaul’s unapologetic enthusiasm for promoting democracy is encouraging, writes Ellen Bork.
Reviewing McFaul’s new book, Advancing Democracy Abroad: Why We Should and How We Can, (previously reviewed here) she endorses his emphasis on empowering non-governmental democracy assistance groups at the [read full story]

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Engaging Russia – with no illusions

By Michael Allen on September 23, 2009

The Obama administration is pursuing a dual track approach to dealing with Russia – engaging both government and civil society, a democracy forum heard this week. On his recent trip, President Barack Obama had spent considerable time meeting civil society and opposition groups, the National Security Council’s Michael McFaul said.
While there will be problems transcending [read full story]

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Obama must raise democracy, human rights in Moscow

By Michael Allen on July 2, 2009

President Barack Obama should challenge the Kremlin on its democratic backsliding at this week’s U.S.-Russian summit in Moscow, says a group of foreign policy specialists and democracy advocates.
The open letter, an initiative of the Foreign Policy Initiative, suggests that the president should reiterate the argument of his recent Cairo speech that governments that protect democratic [read full story]

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“Facilitating” democracy in Iran

By Michael Allen on June 18, 2009

Liberal commentator Spencer Ackerman notes some Democrats’ concern at the Obama administration’s cautious response to events in Iran and finds that some democracy promotion experts are pinning their hopes for a more assertive U.S. approach on  Michael McFaul, the National Security Council’s country director for Russia and former director of Stanford’s Center on Democracy, Development [read full story]

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