FSI scholars offer expert analysis and commentary on contemporary global issues.
FEATURED NEWS
FSI Experts Weigh in on the Munich Security Conference
Michael McFaul and Steven Pifer share analysis of where international security seems to be headed, and what it might mean for the U.S., Ukraine, and their partners.
Summit in Paris Looks at AI and the Future of Democracy
The Stanford Cyber Policy Center and the Paris Bar Association hosted a round table discussion on "AI and the Future of Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities" at the Maison du Barreau in Paris.
In New Book, Didi Kuo Examines Evolution of Political Parties
Kuo, a center fellow at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, says the evolution of parties lays the groundwork for serious imbalances in who democracy serves.
There’s an important distinction between trust and trustworthiness, according to Anat Admati, the George G.C. Parker Professor of Finance and Economics at Stanford Graduate School of Business and co-author of "The Bankers’ New Clothes."
Exploring the unifying potential of economics against intolerance, polarization, and violence with Associate Professor of Political Economy Saumitra Jha.
Kandel's talk with Visiting Fellow in Israel Studies Amichai Magen focused on his work at the Israel Strategic Futures Institute (ISFI) in diagnosing what he and his colleagues identify as internal existential risks for Israel and the policy ideas generated by ISFI in response to those risks.
We sat down with Senior Research Scholar Huan Wang to learn more about her journey to Stanford and drive to address educational disparities and promote human development in China and globally.
Kuo, a fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, says this evolution lays the groundwork for serious imbalances in who democracy serves.
At an event hosted by the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford, Michael McFaul and journalist Roman Anin discussed U.S.-Russia relations under Putin and Trump and the role of journalism in combatting anti-democratic ideology.
Managing political conflict starts with understanding power dynamics. Associate professor of political economy Saumitra Jha shares how you can leverage monopoly power, build networks, and create cooperative solutions to influence outcomes.
Shavit, in conversation with FSI Visiting Fellow in Israel Studies Amichai Magen, discussed the threats Israel faces — particularly from Iran and its proxies — while reassessing historical defense doctrines and the evolving regional landscape, including the future of Gaza.
The martial law episode — and all that followed — “reflects a broader global pattern of democratic erosion but also showcases Korea’s unique strengths," Stanford sociologist Gi-Wook Shin says in an interview with The Diplomat magazine.
Francesca Fernandes ’25, Alvin Lee ’25, Mikayla Tillery ’25 and Kate Tully ’25 were awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 2024. Their studies range from theoretical physics to democratic regression.
Using data from the World Values Survey and Turkish Election Studies, CDDRL Visiting Scholar Ali Çarkoğlu explores the rise of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the enduring influence of cultural divides on Turkey’s political landscape.
APARC 2024-25 Predoctoral Fellow Alisha Cherian studies race relations in Southeast Asia, focusing on the lived experience of Indian Singaporeans and their interactions with state-defined racial categories.
Political Science scholar Yoshiko Herrera examines how identity shapes the causes, conduct, and consequences of war, especially in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
![[Left to right]: Dawn Garcia, Director of the John S. Knight Fellowships; Roman Anin, Journalist and co-founder of iStories Media; Michael McFaul, director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University](https://fsi9-prod.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/328x223_x2/public/2025-02/trump_and_putin_jsk_mcfaul_hero_0.png?h=c4d9845d&itok=uYRFUiUq)
