The war in Ukraine, an intense competition with China, conflicts in the Middle East, a technological arms race, and the ever-present threat of climate change — the global challenges facing the incoming U.S. president are many.

And, if not handled correctly, they have the potential to pose a threat to democracy as we know it, says Victoria Nuland, former undersecretary of state for political affairs and U.S. ambassador to NATO.

“We’re headed into four years where the democratic world will be surrounded by a ring of fire, led by countries who are unsatisfied with the current world order,” Nuland said at an Oct. 30 discussion hosted by the Jackson School’s Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy. “The way we manage that — whether we can enlarge the democratic community or whether autocrats grow or strengthen — is really what’s at stake.”

Nuland recently retired after more than three decades in government, having served in various roles under six U.S. presidents and 12 secretaries of state. She most recently served as acting deputy secretary of state and undersecretary of state for political affairs under President Joe Biden. A native of New Haven, Nuland also previously served as a distinguished practitioner in the Grand Strategy program.

In conversation with Michael Brenes, co-director of the Grand Strategy program, Nuland spoke extensively about the war in Ukraine and Russian president Vladimir Putin’s “imperialistic” intentions in Europe. She also raised concerns over other autocratic countries aligning with Russia, from North Korea sending troops to assist in Ukraine to China sending Russia parts to manufacture weapons — “everything but the weapons — I call them Lego sets,” Nuland said.

From her perspective in the State Department, Nuland said that Biden initially took a diplomatic approach to dealing with Russia, seeking greater stability. That tactic changed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine; Nuland admitted that Putin was likely emboldened after previous attempts to seize land in Ukraine were not met with strong repercussions.

When asked if Ukraine should “come to the table” with Putin to negotiate an end to the war, Nuland warned of a similar outcome.

“Ukraine was invaded while minding their own business — why would they now be willing to give up 20% of their land?” said Nuland, remarking that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has suggested this ceasefire strategy. “I think doing that would encourage other autocratic countries to do the same, if we let them get away with it.”

Regardless of the election outcome, Nuland said that the world’s democratic countries will continue to look at the U.S. for leadership in solving these conflicts and will work together to find solutions to the major global challenges that lie ahead.

“We’re spearheading and investing in so many efforts around the world and other countries are latching onto it — in clean energy, in AI for good, in public health,” she said. “We need to stay on that path.”

“This next generation is so ambitious for a better future. They have high expectations of moral governance, and that gives me a lot of hope.”