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McFaul: Trump Lacks the Commitment to Defend Democracy in Venezuela - America at a Crossroads
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul explains why U.S. policy toward Venezuela carries serious risks if it lacks commitment.
In this conversation with Larry Diamond, McFaul warns that half-hearted intervention, military escalation, or walking away when pressure mounts could lead to worse outcomes—for Venezuela and for American interests.
Drawing on lessons from Iraq, Libya, and past democratic transitions, he discusses how to pressure Nicolás Maduro’s regime and why figures like María Corina Machado represent a democratic alternative that must be supported strategically, not recklessly.
📘 Guest: Michael McFaul, Fmr. US Ambassador to Russia under Obama
🎙️ Host: Larry Diamond, Stanford Political Scientist and Democracy Scholar
📅 Recorded December 2025