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Stanford Scholars Spotlight Democracy in Global Affairs

7/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Michael McFaul, a prominent Stanford professor and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute, previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. He is also the author of the thought-provoking book "Autocrats vs. Democrats." Meanwhile, Abbas Milani, who leads Iranian Studies at Stanford, is recognized for his insightful work "Simorgh: Portraits on my Mind."

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Story summary

Michael McFaul, a prominent Stanford professor and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute, previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. He is also the author of the thought-provoking book "Autocrats vs. Democrats." Meanwhile, Abbas Milani, who leads Iranian Studies at Stanford, is recognized for his insightful work "Simorgh: Portraits on my Mind."