Mel Levitsky

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Ford school faculty available to weigh in on 2024 elections

Jan 28, 2024

The University of Michigan has published an experts guide to the 2024 elections. Ford School faculty are available to offer insights on relevant issues impacting the elections, including the following: Economics Betsey Stevenson, professor of...

Red, white, and blue balloons and stars with a large white checkmark

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Weiser Diplomacy Center continues its practical approach to international affairs

Sep 27, 2023

Four current and former army officers stood before a set of maps on a screen in the Betty Ford auditorium, giving background on the on-going diplomatic standoff in Cyprus. The audience consisted of 24 undergraduate and graduate students from the...

In the Media

Levitsky on the stakes of Biden's Ukraine visit

Feb 24, 2023 Money Control

Melvyn Levitsky, Money Control: "(Biden's visit to Ukraine) shows the US’s and NATO’s support for Ukraine. It is also a warning to Russia and Putin not to escalate. Putin knows that a nuclear exchange would destroy Russia as well as a number of...

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Russia-Ukraine, one year later: Ford School experts can discuss

Feb 23, 2023

University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy experts can discuss Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine and the ensuing war as the one-year anniversary approaches. Javed Ali, associate professor of practice at the Ford School, is a former...

A map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, February 24, 2022

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Brazil riots: Ford School experts offer insight

Jan 9, 2023

In the aftermath of Sunday's riots, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promises to bring rioters to justice. This morning, he met with Rosa Weber, president of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil, and other leaders to work "in defense of...

Headshots of Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky and Javed Ali

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Levitsky says US-Brazil relations blooming

Jan 4, 2023

Ford School professor Melvyn Levitsky, a former U.S. ambassador to Brazil, has been commenting on the new relationship between the countries as President Lula da Silva takes office. BBC Brazil, January 2, 2023: "[Inviting Lula to the White House]...

In the Media

Still some hope for American prisoners in Russia - Levitsky

Dec 8, 2022 WXYZ

WXYZ: "The administration has to have this at the top of its agenda in terms of the bilateral relationship. I'm pretty sure we'll eventually cut a deal, but that is subject to these...

In the Media

Levitsky compares post-election protests in US and Brazil

Nov 2, 2022 Folha de S. Paulo

Melvyn Levitsky, Folha de S. Paulo: "It's normal to have protests. But acts like the ones that happened in the U.S., fueled by public figures who appropriate people's emotions and encourage violence, are a real threat in our times. That's what I saw...

In the Media

Levitsky predicts efficacy of Brazilian President-elect Lula

Nov 1, 2022 The Dialogue

Melvyn Levitsky, The Dialogue: “Lula has attained almost mythical status among the lower-middle and lower classes in Brazil. His rise from poverty to trade union leader to president of Brazil in addition to popular programs to keep kids in school...

In the Media

Levitsky discusses US support for Ukraine

Oct 28, 2022 The Hill

Melvyn Levitsky, The Hill: While lawmakers may ultimately fall in line behind the Biden administration, the divisions and political damage may not fade so quickly. “On the progressive side, [it] makes them look like they’re weak in the sense of not...

In the Media

Levitsky says U.S.-Russia prisoner swap deal possible

Jul 28, 2022 Detroit News

The Biden administration has made an offer to Russia to swap a Russian prisoner in the U.S., convicted arms smuggler Viktor Bout, for two Americans currently being held in Moscow, Michigan's Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner. Commenting...

In the Media

Griner guilty plea gives Russian negotiators an advantage - Levitsky

Jul 10, 2022 Arizona Republic

After WNBA star Brittney Griner's guilty plea in a Moscow court to possessing a small amount of hashish oil in Russia, the Biden administration is considering what its next steps could be to gain her release. Ford School professor Melvyn...

In the Media

Levitsky comments on Russia-Ukraine prisoner swaps

Jun 27, 2022 USA Today

A major prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine took place earlier this week, but the prospects for several Americans held by Russia look bleak. Ford School professor Melvyn Levitsky was quoted in an article in USA Today before the swap....

In the Media

Levitsky says new Russian prisoner exchange unlikely soon

Apr 28, 2022 The Detroit News

After one American was released from Russia in a prisoner exchange, another American—Paul Whelan from Michigan—remains in a Russian prison. Whelan's family expressed regret that he had not been included. Some have argued that more sanctions...

In the Media

Levitsky discusses Congress and foreign policy

Apr 25, 2022 Roll Call

Over the last few decades, the foreign policy power of Congress has deteriorated, leaving a question mark around the process of withdrawing from treaties. Melvyn Levitsky weighed in on the debate. “It’s a gray area because the Congress wants to...

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Russia Invasion of Ukraine Teach-Out features Ali and Levitsky

Mar 9, 2022

Ford School professors Javed Ali and Mel Levitsky are participating in a "Russian Invasion of Ukraine Teach-Out", created by the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation and available through Michigan Online. The teach-out will be live...

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Ford School faculty discuss Russian invasion

Mar 5, 2022

As the invasion of Ukraine continues, media outlets turn to Ford School faculty for insight on the situation. This week, Ford School professors John Ciorciari, Melvyn Levitsky, and Javed Ali analyzed Russia’s intentions with the invasion, as well as...

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Ford School experts weigh in on Russian invasion of Ukraine

Feb 25, 2022

As the Russian military surrounded and began its assault on Ukraine, Melvyn Levitsky, professor of international policy and practice, and Javed Ali, associate professor of practice, lent their expertise to numerous media outlets to break down the...

Weill Hall entrance with "Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy" etched into the glass

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Russia-Ukraine: Ford School experts can discuss

Feb 24, 2022

Ford School experts can discuss Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine and its implications on global politics, economics and the human scale. John Ciorciari is an associate professor of public policy and director of the Ford School of Public...

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Ambassador Levitsky on the Ukraine-Russia crisis: What to know

Feb 1, 2022

What is essential to know about the rising tensions in eastern Europe and the Ukraine-Russia crisis? Melvyn Levitsky, professor of international policy and practice at the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy, shares his insights....

In the Media

Levitsky comments on 'tense' diplomatic meeting in Brazil

Aug 31, 2021 BBC Brazil

Following a recent meeting between American and Brazilian diplomats that diverged into a discussion about democracy, Melvyn Levitsky discounted the threat of a potential military coup. "I knew the Brazilian military very well. And although I...

In the Media

Levitsky expects a prickly relationship between Biden and Brazil's Bolsonaro

Dec 14, 2020 Latin America Advisor

“U.S. relations with Brazil may not be on the first 100-days agenda of the Biden administration, but a renewed emphasis on climate change by the president-elect... will certainly bring the relationship to the fore rather quickly. That, as well as a...

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The presidential transition and the first hundred days of the Biden administration - Experts advisory

Nov 11, 2020

Contact: Daniel Rivkin, [email protected], +1-917-817-6323 ANN ARBOR — Experts at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan are available to discuss the 2020 vote, the presidential transition process, and the policy...

In the Media

Levitsky assesses Trump's 2020 campaign strategy for Brazilian audience

Nov 8, 2020 O Sul

“He hasn't changed practically anything,” says former-ambassador Melvyn Levitsky, who served in Brazil from 1994 to 1998... "His [Trump's] strategy continued to be to appeal to his electoral base instead of trying to expand support, betting that his...

In the Media

Levitsky comments on possible post-election turmoil

Nov 2, 2020 CNN Brasil

"[Trump] will not accept his loss very gracefully. So if that happens, it depends on how far he is prepared to go, which could perhaps lead to violence. The best thing that could happen would be a complete landslide which he couldn't argue...

Levitsky predicts impeachment for Brazil’s Bolsonaro

May 14, 2020

Brazil’s Supreme Court on April 28 ordered an investigation of President Jair Bolsonaro after popular Justice Minister Sérgio Moro resigned and accused him of firing the country’s Federal Police chief in an attempt to interfere with investigations....

Professor Melvyn Levitsky warns that the end of INF treaty “could lead to a new arms race”

Feb 4, 2019

The U.S. and Russia are inciting collective déjà vu. With the demise of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, memories of the Cold War are returning to the zeitgeist. The Mirror’s Oliver Milne highlights some of the most concerning...

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Melvyn Levitsky discusses local man’s Russian imprisonment on WXYZ

Jan 9, 2019

The intrigue of espionage has hit close to home, as Novi man Paul Whelan was detained in Russia under the accusation of being a spy. Detroit ABC-affiliate WXYZ called upon Melvyn Levitsky, professor of policy and practice at the Ford School, to...

Melvyn Levitsky tracks parallels between Brazil’s political future and the U.S.

Oct 11, 2018

Ford School Professor Melvyn Levitsky, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Brazil, was asked to weigh in on the country’s upcoming election by Folha de São Paulo. Folha, for short, is a nearly century-old daily newspaper in Brazil known...

Melvyn Levitsky on what happens next after Russia’s presidential election

Apr 2, 2018

Melvyn Levitsky makes an appearance in Paul D. Shinkman's March 19 article on “The consequences of Putin’s victory” in U.S. News and World Report. Following Vladimir Putin’s win in the Russian presidential election, Shinkman writes, “[I]t’s yet...