Michael McFaul is an American academic and diplomat known for his contributions to international relations, particularly in relation to Russia's transition from communism to authoritarianism. He earned a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Slavic Languages and a Master's degree in Soviet and East European Studies from Stanford University in 1986, and a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in International Relations from Oxford University in 1991 as a Rhodes Scholar. McFaul joined the faculty at Stanford in 1995 and held various positions, including Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies in the Department of Political Science. He also serves as an International Affairs Analyst for NBC News and a contributing columnist for The Washington Post. In the Obama administration from 2009 to 2014, McFaul served as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council, and later as the U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation. Throughout his career, McFaul has authored numerous books and articles on topics such as advancing democracy abroad, transitions to democracy, and the relationship between democracy and development. His work has been recognized by academics and policymakers alike.