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Artwork for World Class
Ukraine
Russia
NATO
China
Democracy
United States
Iran
Russian Democracy
Healthcare
Vladimir Putin
Donald Trump
Political Parties
Gaza
Middle East
Human Rights
Israel
International Law
European Union
European Security
Student Debt Relief

Podcast from the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) at Stanford University, featuring Director Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia. Mike and our scholars dive into critical international issues, offering insights into the history and context of the biggest stories in the news.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes165Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for World Class

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Marshall Burke is a senior fellow at the Center on Food Security and the Environment and senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, and Stanford Institute for Economic Policy... more

Michael McFaul the director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. He served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2016, and has spent much of his academic career researching political change, great ... more

Larry Diamond is the the Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), the William L. Clayton Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and a Bass University Fellow in Undergraduate Educat... more

Ruth Gibson is a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University’s Department of Health Policy and an affiliate at the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). Her research focuses on volatile regions affected by war and sanctions. She ... more

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Recent Guests

Jim Goldgeier
Research affiliate and professor, expert on European security, NATO, and U.S.-Russia relations
American University, Center on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law
Episode: Is There a Future for U.S.-Europe Security Partnerships?
Didi Kuo
Center Fellow at Center on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law and author of The Great Retreat
Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University
Episode: The Great Retreat of Political Parties
Steve Pifer
Former ambassador to Ukraine and expert on European issues
Center for International Security and Cooperation
Episode: Three Years of War in Ukraine
Oriana Skylar Mastro
Center Fellow at FSI, Deputy Director of Reserve Global China Strategy at the Pentagon
Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
Episode: Understanding China's 'Upstart' Strategy
Audra Plepytė
Lithuania's ambassador to the United States
Embassy of Lithuania
Episode: Whatever Victory Takes: Ambassador Audra Plepytė on Support for Ukraine
Susan Rice
Former domestic policy advisor to President Biden and national security advisor to President Obama
Episode: An Inside Look at Policymaking with Susan E. Rice
Kistjan Prikk
Estonia's ambassador to the United States
Estonian Government
Episode: The View on Russia from Estonia
Josep Borrell
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
European Union
Episode: Strategic Responsibility in the EU, United States, and Beyond
Abbas Milani
Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University and co-director of the Iran Democracy Project.
Stanford University
Episode: The Widening Cracks in Iran's Regime

Host

Michael McFaul
Host of discussions focusing on international issues, offering insights as a former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Director at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • Guests are throttled

    You cannot claim that this is an “in depth” discussion when you give your guests so little time to speak.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Bohemian_Peasant
    United Statesa year ago
  • Super interesting

    On each episode Mike McFaul leads a vibrant discussion with other Stanford scholars on issues that may affect and shake the world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Araj Turos
    United States3 years ago
  • Michael McFaul is a terrific guy and a wonderful podcast host. I wish he had episodes more often.

    Podcast Addict
    MSC
    4 years ago
  • Michael McFaul is a terrific guy and a wonderful podcast host. I wish he had episodes more often.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    MSC
    4 years ago
  • Such a great podcast!

    I just discovered this, so pleased. Love Professor McFaul's soothing and intelligent voice -- you're a wonderful interviewer. So smart, low-key, and you stay out of the way and let your subjects talk, while nonetheless very deftly guiding them to fill in context and explain references not everyone might be familiar with. Great guests. Learning a lot. Well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sophie Majeski
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions led by knowledgeable scholars, praising the mix of current affairs and historical context.
Reviews indicate a strong engagement with the content, highlighting the host's ability to facilitate conversations that are both informative and thought-provoking.
Some feedback points to a need for improved audio quality, which could enhance the overall listening experience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#173
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#185
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#212
Israel/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Great Retreat of Political Parties
Q: What does the term 'The Great Retreat' signify in terms of political parties?
It refers to the decline of political parties' effectiveness and public trust in them since the 1970s, leading to challenges in democratic representation.
The Great Retreat of Political Parties
Q: What are the historical reasons for the necessity of political parties?
Political parties serve electoral and representative functions that are crucial for democracy, providing a structure to mobilize citizens and facilitate governance.
Understanding China's 'Upstart' Strategy
Q: What does the balance of military power between the United States and China look like today?
We're outgunned in Asia but have the advantage everywhere else; we need to enhance our military presence and capabilities in the region.
Whatever Victory Takes: Ambassador Audra Plepytė on Support for Ukraine
Q: How do you view the debate on NATO expansion and Ukraine's membership?
NATO membership for Ukraine is crucial for deterrence and security for both Ukraine and Europe; we shouldn't fear about provoking Russia.
Whatever Victory Takes: Ambassador Audra Plepytė on Support for Ukraine
Q: Why should we care about the situation in Ukraine?
It is essential because the aggression against Ukraine affects the future security architecture in Europe and the global order.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About World Class

What is World Class about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on critical international issues, a notable podcast engages listeners with insightful discussions led by an experienced host and various scholars. Episodes cover a diverse range of topics, including U.S.-Europe security partnerships, the future of democracy in Russia, the complexities of China's rise, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Each conversation not only explores current events but also delves into the historical contexts that shape them, making it especially relevant for those interested in politics, international relations, and global affairs. The unique blend of expert opinions and academic perspectives is likely to attract listeners looking for a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics in global politics.

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Which podcasts are similar to World Class?

These podcasts share a similar audience with World Class:

1. The Foreign Desk
2. GZERO World with Ian Bremmer
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. In Moscow's Shadows
5. The President’s Inbox

How many episodes of World Class are there?

World Class launched 9 years ago and published 165 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on World Class?

Recent guests on World Class include:

1. Jim Goldgeier
2. Didi Kuo
3. Steve Pifer
4. Oriana Skylar Mastro
5. Audra Plepytė
6. Susan Rice
7. Kistjan Prikk
8. Josep Borrell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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