Victor McFarland

Victor McFarland is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of History at the University of Missouri. He specializes in energy history, environmental studies, and U.S.-Middle East relations, with a focus on diplomatic and political-economic dynamics. His work examines the intersection of oil, power, and international alliances, particularly the U.S.-Saudi relationship. He holds a B.A. from Stanford University and advanced degrees (M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.) from Yale University.

McFarland has held prestigious fellowships, including at the Miller Center (University of Virginia, 2012-13), the Dickey Center (Dartmouth College, 2013-14), and the Warren Center at Harvard University (2018-19). His research outputs include the acclaimed book Oil Powers: A History of the U.S.-Saudi Alliance (Columbia UP, 2020) and articles exploring energy transitions, OPEC strategies, and post-War economic orders.

His recent work analyzes geopolitical energy crises, state threat effectiveness in markets, and the historical role of petrodollars in shaping U.S. foreign policy. McFarland’s publications span peer-reviewed journals, encyclopedic entries, and edited volumes, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to global history.