Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies

Featured Stories

Colin H. Kahl standing in Stanford's main quad

Colin Kahl Named Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies

The political scientist and former U.S. defense official will lead Stanford’s hub for nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research and teaching in global affairs.

KAHL

Beginning a New Chapter at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies

Colin Kahl, who will start as FSI’s new director on January 1, 2026, reflects on a career at the intersection of scholarship and policy—and shares his vision for how the institute can help navigate today’s global challenges.

New Chapter

Amichai Magen, Kathryn Stoner, and Larry Diamond

Gift from the Koum Family Foundation endows Israel Studies Program

Building on a successful pilot at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, the Jan Koum Israel Studies Program will deepen understanding of Israel through new classes, collaborative research, and community engagement.

Israel Studies

Gabrielius Landsbergis Appointed the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Visiting Fellow

Landsbergis, formerly the minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, will have simultaneous affiliations across the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

Fellow

Ernestine Fu Mak (far left) and Steve Bowsher (far right) speaking with panelists during a session of the "Silicon Valley & The U.S. Government" speaker series.

Examining the Past, Present, and Future of Silicon Valley’s Relationship with the Government

Recordings of the course “Silicon Valley & The U.S. Government” are available online for free.

COURSE

Available Now: New Book by Michael McFaul

In Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder, FSI Director, New York Times bestselling author, and former ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul offers a clear-eyed look at how the rise of autocratic China and Russia are compelling some to think that we have entered a new Cold War—and why we must reject that thinking in order to prevail.
Order now.

Upcoming Events

Tue Dec 09

12:00 PM - 01:15 PM

Anonymous Online Survey Detection of Political Violence, Social Unrest and Human Rights Violations | Andrew Shaver

William J. Perry Conference Room

Tue Dec 09

12:00 PM - 01:15 PM

Sanjeev Khagram — Innovating an AI-Powered Global Resilience Intelligence Platform and Partnership (GRIPP) for Good Governance, Human Security, and Sustainable Development

Virtual to Public. If prompted for a password, use: 123456Only those with an active Stanford ID with access to Philippines Conference Room in Encina Hall may attend in person.

Wed Dec 10

12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

Hope and Despair: The Emotional Response to the War in Ukraine

Hohbach Hall, Room 122, 557 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 94305

Recent Videos

The Global Showdown Between Autocrats vs. Democrats

Lessons from the Latest India-Pakistan Clash

Title

Understanding China's 'Upstart' Strategy | World Class

Understanding China's 'Upstart' Strategy

Featured Scholars

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Larry Diamond

Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy

Recent Publication

Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency

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Didi Kuo

FSI Center Fellow

Recent Publication

The Great Retreat: How Political Parties Should Behave and Why They Don't

https://aparc.fsi.stanford.edu/people/giwook_shin

Gi-Wook Shin

FSI Senior Fellow

Recent Publication

The Four Talent Giants

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Kathryn Stoner

FSI Senior Fellow

Mosbacher Director, CDDRL

Recent Publication

Russia Resurrected: Its Power and Purpose in A New Global Order

All FSI Faculty

Research

FSI is a hub for Stanford scholars who want to work across disciplines on research that has international impact. Our topics include governance, security, global health, energy and international development.

Research Research

Teaching

Our faculty teach more than 80 classes a year, and mentor students through guided research. FSI is also home to the Ford Dorsey Master's in International Policy, a two-year master's degree.

Teaching Teaching

Policy

Our work provides context for decision-making in Washington, Geneva, Beijing and beyond. FSI's International Policy Lab helps ensure that our faculty's research has real-world impact.

Policy Policy

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