Melvyn Levitsky | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
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Melvyn Levitsky

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Melvyn Levitsky

Professor of International Policy and Practice (on leave)
Levitsky serves as senior associate of the school's International Policy Center, and senior advisor to the Weiser Diplomacy Center. During his 35-year career as a U.S. diplomat, Levitsky was ambassador to Brazil from 1994-98 and held such senior positions as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters, ambassador to Bulgaria, deputy director of the Voice of America, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights.
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
News

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
State & Hill

Discourse: Fordies in the news, spring 2023

May 3, 2023
"The Republicans are just in a really difficult situation, because their margin is so small and this bloc is so determined. They want to be able to stymie things if things are not going their way. This is an effort to wield as much power as they can...
Spring 2023 State & Hill Discourse image
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
News

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
News

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
News

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]...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
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....
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
State & Hill

Discourse: Ford School faculty in the news, spring 2022

May 31, 2022
“(Putin) has already violated every international treaty, including the U.N. charter, by invading. This has international implications, not just European implications. Now, the question of what we do and how we do it, with regards to sanctions or...
Headshots of Melvyn Levitsky, Brian Jacob, Natasha Pilkauskas, Katherine Michelmore, Justin Wolfers, and Barry Rae
State & Hill

Faculty News, spring 2022

May 31, 2022
Arun Agrawal was selected as co-chair on the Intergovernmental Transformative Change Assessment, sponsored by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Javed Ali provided his expertise on national security to numerous...
Headshots of 10 Ford School faculty arranged in a grid
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
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...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
In the Media

Levitsky applauds Zelensky

Mar 9, 2022 CBS Detroit
Nearly two weeks after Russia initially invaded Ukraine, the fighting continues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emerged as an international leader, which Melvyn Levitsky, professor of international policy and practice,...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
News

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...
Ukraine_Teach_Out_1090x681
News

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

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
News

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...
A map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, February 24, 2022
In the Media

Levitsky discusses Bolsonaro's visit to Russia

Feb 16, 2022 TV Globo
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro recently visited Russia, despite rumors of a looming Russian invasion into Ukraine. Melvyn Levitsky, professor of international policy and practice, weighed in on the visit.  "I really don’t see any gain that’s...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
In the Media

Levitsky says Bolsonaro-Putin meeting hurts U.S.-Brazil relations

Feb 7, 2022 BBC Brazil
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week. The meeting could affect Brazil's relationship with the United States, due to the current circumstances in Ukraine.  "It is not possible for...
Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky