Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia and America

and the New Global Disorder

Commonwealth Club World Affairs Peninsula Chapter, LWV Los Altos Mountain View, and the Los Altos Library present Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and an international affairs analyst for NBC News.

• Wednesday, January 7, 7:30–9 pm - doors open 7 pm
• Los Altos Community Center, Grand Oak Room, 97 Hillview Avenue, Los Altos
• Registration strongly suggested.

The international order in which most of us grew up is over, and a new cold war is setting in. Michael McFaul says America’s future depends on how successfully it deals with this new global order.

Leah Litman Speaks on Roe Commemoration

AAUW Silicon Valley invites LWV Los Altos Mountain View to hear from Leah Litman, a leader for women’s issues and well-known podcaster. She will be the keynote speaker at the branch’s annual event, Step Out for Pro Choice, held annually on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

• Thursday, January 22, 2026, 1 pm
• This is a Zoom event. Register here.

Ms. Litman is the well-known co-host of  Strict Scrutiny, a podcast about the Supreme Court of the United States, alongside Melissa Murray and Kate A. Shaw. She is a professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School and writes on constitutional law, federal courts, and federal post-conviction review.

Congress Infringes upon DC’s Autonomy

For decades, Congress has continuously used DC as a pawn in its political games, with multiple bills passed by Congress this year that undermine DC autonomy. Most recently, Congress took up two bills that would strip DC of its right to govern itself by interfering with reforms to its criminal justice system.

The people of the District of Columbia do not have a voice in Congress and thus cannot advocate for or against federal policies that affect their everyday lives. They also live under local policies that are subject to congressional interference. A true democracy requires a representative government that is responsive to the will of the people.

Contact your members of Congress to support DC.