The Warning

The Warning

From Autocracy in America by The Atlantic

September 23, 2025 · 37 min · Season 2 · Episode 12

About this episode

Michael McFaul warns Americans about the dangers of power consolidation, drawing parallels between the Trump administration and Putin's Russia.

Michael McFaul witnessed Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on dissent as U.S. ambassador to Russia. He has a warning for Americans. McFaul and host Garry Kasparov discuss how recent moves by the Trump administration mirror the consolidation of power that McFaul saw after Putin was re-elected Russian president in 2012. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/listener. Garry chairs the Renew Democracy Initiative, publisher of The Next Move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Garry Kasparov

Guest: Michael McFaul

Topics covered

  • political dissent
  • U.S. politics
  • authoritarianism
  • power consolidation
  • international relations

Keywords

  • Michael McFaul
  • Garry Kasparov
  • Putin
  • Trump administration
  • dissent
  • power consolidation
  • Russia
  • U.S. politics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Atlantic, Renew Democracy Initiative

Books & works: The Next Move

Places: Russia, United States

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