Fault Lines

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the harrowing reports of the use of heavy weaponry by the Iranian government against protesters in the Iranian Kurdish city of Mahabad and the threats to other Kurdish areas in Iran.What does this targeting of Kurdish populations mean and should it change how the U.S. is responding? Is it time for the U.S. to actively encourage regime change in Iran?Hear our experts provide their analysis on our latest episode!Also a reminder, Fault Lines will only be coming to you today and Wednesday this week as the team takes a break to enjoy Thanksgiving. We hope you all do as well!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/security-forces-intensify-crackdown-irans-kurdish-area-four-killed-rights-group-2022-11-20/https://www.wsj.com/articles/irans-security-forces-crack-down-on-protest-movement-in-kurdish-region-11668950068Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss tensions on the Korean peninsula. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen a continuous increase in the rate of North Korean missile drills and rhetoric.What should the U.S. do in response? Should the U.S. continue to press for a nuclear-free Korean peninsula? How does China play into U.S. policy vis-a-vis North Korea?Hear our experts provide their analysis on our latest episode of Fault Lines!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/16/asia/north-korea-ballistic-missile-intl-hnk/index.htmlhttps://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/north-korea-nuclear-weapons-missile-tests-military-capabilitiesLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss a moment that many may have missed at COP27 summit, and which has caused an uproar: photos of U.S. Climate Envoy and former Secretary of State John Kerry shaking hands with the disputed president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.Does this interaction at COP indicate a change in U.S. policy towards Venezuela? Why does the contested Venezuelan presidential election from 3 years ago matter? Is Congress doing enough to steer U.S. relations with Venezuela vis-a-vis Maduro? Hear our experts provide their analysis on our latest episode of Fault Lines!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-plans-to-ease-venezuela-sanctions-enabling-chevron-to-pump-oil-11665005719https://www.npr.org/2022/11/03/1133615222/us-venezuela-diplomacy-oil-sanctions-negotiationsLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss what may come out of the highly anticipated meeting occurring today between President Biden and General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Chinese Community Party at the G20 summit. Given Xi Jinping’s recent consolidation of power, how should President Biden approach the relationship with China? Is the Biden Administration missing any opportunities to change Chinese behavior? Hear our experts debate a path forward for one of the most important bilateral relationships we have. Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-10/biden-to-meet-china-s-xi-nov-14-in-bid-to-buoy-strained-tieshttps://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/11/11/brittney-griner-russia-sentence-penal-colony-00066419Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess and Jamil discuss the news that Brittney Griner has been transferred to a Russian penal colony, where she will serve the rest of nine-and-a-half-year sentence for processing less than a gram of cannabis oil in a vape cartridge. Should the U.S. government do whatever it takes to bring her home? What role does the official U.S. hostage envoy have to play? If we don’t do anything, what message does this send to other U.S. citizens overseas currently being held against their will? Tune in to hear our experts discuss this multifaceted issue.Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.cbsnews.com/video/russia-moves-brittney-griner-to-penal-colony/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/11/11/brittney-griner-russia-sentence-penal-colony-00066419Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday was Election Day in America. In this episode Les, Jess, and Jamil debate foreign interference in American elections. Earlier this week, powerful Russian businessman and close Putin ally, Yevgeny Prigozhin, admitted that Russia interfered in previous U.S. elections and that it will interfere in American elections going forward.How concerned should Americans be about foreign interference in our elections? What should the U.S. reaction be to threats of election interference by foreign actors? Should we be doing more to secure our elections? Listen to hear our experts discuss!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.reuters.com/world/us/russias-prigozhin-admits-interfering-us-elections-2022-11-07/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/07/putin-ally-yevgeny-prigozhin-admits-interfering-in-us-electionsLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s badly timed visit to Beijing. While it is no secret that Germany’s economy is heavily dependent on China, Chancellor Scholz has been the only G7 leader to make the trip to China since COVID-19. Critics argue that Chancellor Scholz’s visit ignores President Xi Jinping’s increasingly authoritarian tactics.Is this visit indicative of a boarder German foreign policy shift towards China? How should the U.S. react when friends and allies “play footsies” with the Chinese? Is decoupling a viable option for Germany? Tune in to find out what our experts think!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/germanys-scholz-in-china-amid-trade-ukraine-rights-issues/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/03/olaf-scholz-china-trip-germanyLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil debate what the U.S. response should be to Russia threatening to suspend support for grain exports through the Black Sea.Luckily, with the help of Turkey and the UN, Russia decided to restart its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative (which allows for exports of food and fertilizer through the Black Sea). However, this raises the question of what the U.S. should do if Russia pulls out of this agreement and institutes a naval blockade. Should we engage with our military assets? Should we rely on diplomacy? Should we do nothing? Tune in to find out what our experts think!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-grain-black-sea.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/02/grain-deal-ukraine-turkey-russia/Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fault Lines is back!! Join us for our second episode after our break with a regular cast of characters to get you quickly up to speed three-times-a-week on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America.Citizens have been protesting across Iran for nearly seven weeks, defying a deadly crackdown by security forces.Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss these protests in light of the Iranian regime's increasingly strict crack down. Are these protests different than previous protests in Iran? Should the U.S. government be doing more? Are sanctions the answer? Should we be advocating for regime change in Iran? Tune in to find out!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-indicts-some-1000-people-tehran-over-unrest-tasnim-reports-2022-10-31/To listen to President Obama’s full podcast as referenced go here: https://crooked.com/podcast/between-barack-and-a-hard-place/Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fault Lines is back and revamped!Join us for our first episode in our new format, which gets you quickly up to speed three-times-a-week on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America.Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil talk about the upcoming COP27 in Egypt. President Biden will be attending, and all eyes will be on Sharm El-Sheikh as this is the first major public interaction since President Xi Jinping’s power grab last week at the Chinese Communist Party's Congress. What is COP? Why is this something you should be tracking? Listen to find out!Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-emissions-set-to-decline-but-global-pledges-fall-short-of-climate-goals-u-n-says-11666832112Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we take a deep dive into the Islamic Republic of Iran. What are Iran’s regional and internal ambitions? What is the political history of Iran and how does this explain its actions and intentions? Do human rights exist in Iran? Should the U.S. resurrect the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)? Richard Goldberg is a Senior Advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Rich joins to answer and reflect on these questions. Rich has extensive experience on Iran and the boarder Middle East region from his time working on Capitol Hill as well as at the White House National Security Council.  This episode is the series finale of our summer series, “Breaking Chains: Fighting the New Global Repressors.” Thank you to those who joined us throughout the summer to dive into some of the most pressing human rights issues facing our world.  The Fault Lines team is taking a break in September but we look forward to more hard-hitting episodes - with a new look - in October! Until then! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks one year since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan following its two-decade commitment to fighting terrorism in the country. One year on, we have a country ruled by the Taliban, thousands of Americans and allies stranded within its borders, and a rapidly deteriorating economic, humanitarian and regional security situation on the ground. How many American people and allies are still left in Taliban-governed Afghanistan? What does the future of U.S. commitment look like in the country? How has our withdrawal impacted the U.S. role in the world and its order? Today’s episode will feature France Hoang to help answer and reflect on these questions. France is the Chairman of the Board of Allied Airlift 21 and co-founder of the Afghanistan Departure Group (ADG). Both of these organizations were instrumental in assisting with the evacuation of Americans and our allies out of Afghanistan. Want to learn more about Allied Airlift 21 and how you can help? Please check out their website here! Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss what life is like in North Korea for the average citizen and how the authoritarian government keeps order and control over the lives of ordinary North Koreans.  Do human rights even exist in North Korea? What motivates the North Korean government to perpetuate repression? What is the difference between operations and analysis at the Central Intelligence Agency, and what skills are they looking for in prospective intelligence analysts?Yong Lee is the former CIA Deputy Assistant Director for the Korea Mission Center and former Chief of the Korea Department. Yong has extensive experience in Korean Peninsula affairs. We are thrilled he could join Fault Lines to shed light on the notoriously isolated country of North Korea.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss what organizations like the International Republican Institute are doing to help curb the malicious actions of states who repress their people.  What are the roles of interests and values in the context of America's foreign policy? What can democratic countries do to counter authoritarian regimes? What is the role of the U.S. Congress in shaping foreign policy, and how this arrangement uniquely American?  Dr. Daniel Twining is President of the International Republican Institute. Previously, Dr. Twining directed the German Marshall Fund’s Asia program, was a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff and served as a foreign policy advisor to the late U.S. Senator John McCain. We are thrilled to have him join to answer these questions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we take a deep dive into the “hot spots” in the world for religious persecution including Nigeria, Burma and Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Samuel Brownback served as the Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom at the U.S. State Department under the Trump Administration. Prior to his service as Ambassador, he served as a Congressman, Senator and Governor of the great state of Kansas. He has a unique perspective of how religious freedom directly relates to our nation’s national security and we are thrilled to have him provide his insights on how religious persecution is often a key ingredient to global repression. He discusses how freedom of religion plays into U.S. foreign policy. What mechanisms does the U.S. government have at its disposal to curb religious persecution? What is the impact on U.S. bilateral relations with states who allow don’t allow freedom of religion within their borders? How does advocating for this fundamental human right impact our national security? This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.  Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we discuss the tragic war crimes occurring against the Ukrainian people since Russia invaded the country. As we learn this week, this is a common trend when it comes to Russia, and this is not the first time they have repressed and abused their neighbors. How is this unprovoked war impacting the Ukrainian people on the ground? What is the international community doing to bring those who perpetrate these war crimes to justice?  Michael Sawkiw, Executive Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, has spent years advocating for Ukrainians and has worked tirelessly to support the Ukrainian community in the United States. He has a deep knowledge of the human rights violations and atrocities occurring on the ground in Ukraine since the Russian invasion and we are thrilled to have him join us to share his insights. This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.  Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Illicit finance poses one of the key national security challenges facing the crypto industry. How do U.S. regulators and policymakers work with stakeholders to implement solutions that may be at odds with crypto’s underlying ethos of decentralization? Is crypto the driving factor behind increased ransomware activity or just a symptom? What lessons can the United States take from other governments, like the EU and the UK, in upgrading our anti-money laundering framework?  Ari Redbord, Head of Legal and Government Affairs at TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence company, joins Fault Lines for a special episode to help assess some of the national security challenges facing the crypto industry.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, to kick off our summer series on global repression, “Breaking Chains: Fighting the New Global Repressors,” we are taking a deep dive into the surveillance state in the People’s Republic of China, namely, the Xinjiang Province. What technology does the PRC have at its disposal? How has this technology furthered repression of the Uyghur minority group? Geoffrey Cain, author of “The Perfect Police State: An Undercover Odyssey into China's Terrifying Surveillance Dystopia of the Future” and award winning foreign correspondent has been on the ground in the region and shares his insights, reporting and assessment of what the future may hold.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sri Lanka is set to choose a new president in the midst of a massive unrest and a catastrophic economic crisis. What does this mean for U.S. security interest in the region? How can Sri Lanka’s partners best assist in this situation? With Sri Lanka's economy shattered, food and fuel dangerously scarce, and massive international debts, is there any hope for Asia’s oldest democracy? Atul Keshap, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka from 2015 - 2018, joins Fault Lines in a special episode to help address these questions and more!   Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. **Fault Lines Update** Join us next week for our limited and special summer series “Breaking Chains: Fighting the Next Global Repressors.” Over the next month, we will highlight the many serious human rights violations we are witnessing across the globe - from war crimes in Ukraine to new information coming out on China's treatment of the Uyghurs. You don’t want to miss this! Note: This episode was recorded at 1:00 PM ET on July 18, 2022. Events on the ground in Sri Lanka have moved quickly since then! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Jane, Scott, and Sarah discuss President Biden’s articulation of the US policy in the event China invades Taiwan, the creation of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the first Russian soldier convicted of war crimes. Was it truly a mistake on President Biden’s part when he says that the U.S. would defend Taiwan if China were to invade? Will China engage in military activity against Taiwan in the next 2.5 years? Is IPEF significant? What are the implications of Ukraine convicting the first Russian solder of war crimes? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines! Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. **Fault Lines Update** Fault Lines is taking a break for the rest of June. Join us in July for our limited and special summer series that will highlight the many serious human rights violations we are witnessing across the globe - from war crimes in Ukraine to new information coming out on China's treatment of the Uyghur. You don’t want to miss this! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from Western Ukraine, join NSI for a very important conversation with Fox News Correspondent Mike Tobin. Mike has been reporting on the war from Western Ukraine and has himself been impacted by Russian atrocities. How is this war different from other combat zones? How have Ukrainians strengthened their resolve to push back against Russia? These questions and more answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines. Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Energy has played a featured role in Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. What role has it historically played in the strategic calculations of nations? Can Europe eliminate dependence on Russia for gas? How has the U.S. shale revolution and the development liquified natural gas (LNG) reverberated globally? Are we truly able to transition away from hydrocarbons? Which new energy technologies will have the biggest strategic implications? Tune in as we discuss these questions and more with Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global and the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power.  Be sure to read more about energy and its implication in geopolitics in his latest book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. You can purchase it here.  Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Matt, Rob, and Carmen discuss Finland and Sweden’s willingness to join NATO, the $40B assistance for Ukraine, and China’s intellectual property theft. Did President Putin misjudge NATO’s strength? Will the $40B assistance for Ukraine lead to a reordering of our domestic politics on national security issues? What does the intellectual property theft from Chinese government hackers have to say about China’s economy? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!Be sure to join NSI for our next event with former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on Thursday, May 26 at 5 PM ET. Secretary Pompeo will share his insights on how the U.S. can maintain its leadership in an every evolving world. You can register for this event here. Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America and the EU have avoided a direct military role in Ukraine. Instead, they have used economic measure to punish Russia. As we look at the sanctions in place, are there further actions America can take to limit Russia’s ability to finance their war? How can America and the EU make their sanctions more impactful? Why is it important for America to take an active role in reconstructing Ukraine after the war? Join us as we discuss these questions and more with Natalie Jaresko, former Minister of Finance for Ukraine, who breaks down the current economic crisis in Russia and Ukraine. As a special bonus, Natalie shared the many ways our listeners can get involved with helping Ukrainians deal with the effects of the invasion. Be sure to check out some of the resources she had listed below:https://www.boycottrussia.info/https://squeezingputin.com/https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/almost-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remainhttps://www.strongerthanever.com/https://ukraine.welcome.us/Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Sarah, Charles, and Heather discuss House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi’s visit with Ukraine’s President Zelensky, the $33B in aid that President Biden is requesting, and the new intelligence sharing agreement between New Zealand and Japan. What does it mean for Speaker Pelosi to visit President Zelensky? Will the $33B in aid sustain Ukraine? What does the agreement between New Zealand and Japan mean to the United States? Is it related to China's new friend, the Solomon Islands? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines! Join NSI for our next event on Tuesday, May 10 with former Congressman and CIA Officer, Will Hurd to discuss his new book, American Reboot: An Idealist’s Guide to Getting Big Things Done. Will Hurd will share how his approach of “pragmatic idealism” can offer Americans a fresh start to a country mired in political divides and internal strife. You can register here.  Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, attention quickly turned to India to determine whether it would condemn the attack and support western sanctions. This week, we are joined by Jeff Smith, a research fellow at Heritage’s Asian Studies Center with a focus on South Asia, for a deep dive on U.S.-India relationship in light of the war in Ukraine and China’s growing threat.  How did India develop its longstanding relationship with Russia? What does the war and the “no limits” partnership with China mean for that historical partnership? How can the U.S. continue to strengthen its relationship with India and how should the U.S. think about India’s position in the democratic world? These questions and more are addressed on this week’s episode of Fault Lines.  Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Scott, Andy, and Carmen discuss the possible use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the draconian lockdowns happening in Shanghai. Would the U.S. become more involved in Ukraine if Russia use a tactical nuclear weapon? Is Biden’s administration usage of strategic ambiguity different from previous administrations? How do the lockdowns in Shanghai impact Xi’s upcoming election in the fall? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines! Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Public Diplomacy has played a critical role in telling the truth and countering propaganda in today's global environment. As we look at Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, what can America learn from President Zelensky's amazing leadership? How can America balance its different means of communication through radio and social media? What can the State Department do to ensure the truth is being told to populations in nations whose governments suppress the truth? Join us as we discuss these questions and more with Heather Nauert, advisory board member of BGR Group, former journalist with Fox News and ABC News, as well as former State Department spokesperson and acting Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy at the State Department.As a special bonus, Heather shared with us the work she is doing to help get people out of Afghanistan who are at risk. If you would like to contribute, please check out Moral Compass Federation of America which is part of the Special Operations Association of America.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Sarah, Harold, and Matthew discuss the most recent atrocities revealed in Ukraine, the warning from Biden’s administration on a potential cyber war, and the leaked agreement between Solomon Islands and China. Will the recent uncovered atrocities force China to take a stance against Russia’s invasion? How can the U.S. increase its cyber posture as a nation? Why is the Solomon Islands important to the U.S.? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines! Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In recent years, the far-fetched spaceship battles of sci-fi have become a much more likely reality. This week, we're joined by Collin Lee, Director, Frontiers at General Dynamics Mission Systems and VSI Visiting Fellow for a deep dive on the militarization of space.How do space and national security intersect? How has the US prepared for when space inevitably becomes a battlefield? Are we in a new space race? These questions and more are addressed on this week’s episode of Fault Lines.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Carmen, Rob, and Megan continue their discussion on the ever developing situation on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Biden administration’s executive order on crypto. How is the war going for President Putin? Does the Russian people look favorable on President Putin? Does the executive order signify the importance of crypto? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Note: This episode was recorded at 1:00 PM ET on March 21, 2022. The National Security Institute acknowledges that the situation in Ukraine is rapidly changing and that some of the conversation held may no longer be accurate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crypto is having, as this week's guest puts it, a "moment of legitimacy". We're joined by Juan Zarate, Global Co-Managing Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at K2 Integrity, Chair of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at FDD, and former Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser for Combating Terrorism for a deep dive on cryptocurrency.What role does crypto play in Russia's war on Ukraine? Could Russia's increased use of cryptocurrencies pose a threat to financial stability? What can Congress be doing? These questions and more are addressed on this week’s episode of Fault Lines.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more.For further reading on crypto, K2 Integrity, where Juan is the Global Co-Managing Partner and Chief Strategy Officer, recently published a policy alert, found here, on the risk global markets may face as Russian actors use virtual currencies to bypass sanctions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Martha, Sarah, and Matt continues to discuss the ever-developing Russian invasion of Ukraine. How have Ukrainians thwarted President’s Putin invasion? Should a no-fly zone be instituted? What are the implications of the ban on Russian oil imports? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!   Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more. Note: This episode was recorded at 1:00 PM ET on March 8, 2022. The National Security Institute acknowledges that the situation is rapidly changing and that some of the conversation held may no longer be accurate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Against the backdrop of the continued Russian invasion of Ukraine, Megan Stifel, NSI Visiting Fellow and Chief Strategy Officer at the Institute for Security and Technology, addresses the cyberattacks that have played a role in Russia’s efforts. How has Ukraine fended off the cyber attacks? Has collaboration between the U.S. and Ukraine been successful? We then pivot to last week’s news that the Department of Justice is ending the China Initiative. How frequent were the cases of false convictions and racial discrimination that drove the DoJ to end the initiative? Does ending the initiative change the work the DoJ is doing? Will the DoJ’s focus shift given the violence in Ukraine? These questions and more are addressed on this week’s episode of Fault Lines.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special episode of Fault Lines, host Lester Munson discusses Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine with guests Scott Cullinane, Executive Director of the US-Europe Alliance, Martha Miller, former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, and Sarah Stewart, Executive Director of the Silverado Policy Accelerator.Our episode begins with an assessment of the situation in Ukraine, followed by a discussion on the response from the West to Russia's aggression, the sanctions placed by the Biden administration, and the implications the invasion could mean for European neighbors to Ukraine.If you like what we're doing, be sure to like, rate, and subscribe to Fault Lines. If you have ideas for future episodes, be sure to email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @MasonNatSec.Note: This episode was recorded at 9:00am ET on February 25th, 2022. The National Security Institute acknowledges that the situation is rapidly changing and that some of the conversation held may no longer be accurate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Mario, Carmen, and Rob discuss the ever developing Russia-Ukraine crisis and China’s rocket debris that will be hitting the moon. Is President Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine because of legitimate strategic concerns, toxic masculinity or something else? Is NATO unified in their response to Russia? Why is it important to be aware of the amount of debris in space? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines! Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s no denying that China’s global standing has drastically changed - in their favor - in the past half century. How has Chinese diplomacy contributed to this change? Is the bullying that China attempts to use to achieve diplomatic goals effective in today’s world? Will China ever pivot away from their aggressive tactics and act with the degree of prestige expected of a global superpower?  This week’s episode of Fault Lines features a deep dive with Peter Martin, Defense Policy and Intelligence Reporter for Bloomberg Business, author of China’s Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy, and expert on all things Chinese diplomacy. Find Peter’s book here.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Sarah, Scott, and Andy discuss the ongoing computer chip supply chain issues and North Korea’s launch of seven missiles last month. How are our European allies impacted by the ongoing computer chip crisis? Is Congress doing enough to alleviate the situation? What does it mean for North Korea to launch seven missiles in one month? How has the Biden administration handled the U.S. relationship with North Korea differently from the Trump Administration? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!   Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re joined by guest Anaise Kanimba, daughter of Paul Rusesabagina, the famed manager of a hotel in Rwanda where he protected hundreds of Rwandans – both Hutu and Tutsi – from the genocide that engulfed that country in 1994. How did Anaise’s father save lives in 1994? How has he dedicated his life to advocating for human rights? What is Anaise doing to now free her father from unfair imprisonment in Rwanda? These questions and more about Anaise and her father’s moving stories are addressed on this week’s episode of Fault Lines.Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more.Want to become more involved in the #FreeRusesabagina campaign? Get involved by visiting their website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Rob, Carmen, and Jamil discuss the massive underwater volcano eruption near Tonga and Russia’s dismantling of the hacker group known as REvil. They will also cast their predictions on whether or not Russia will invade Ukraine. Is the eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai a national security issue that Americans should care about? What does it mean for Russia to dismantle REvil? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!  Think a panelists got the right prediction or had the most persuasive argument on Russia’s actions with Ukraine? Be sure to send us a Tweet or e-mail us at [email protected]! Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NSI welcomes Morgan Viña and Lester Munson, two of NSI’s Fellows and co-authors on a recent NSI Paper, “Will the US Compete with China in Africa?”. What is China trying to accomplish in Africa? How do the Trump and Biden administration’s approaches to Africa differ, and what do they both have right – and wrong – in their Africa policy? Is there an opportunity for the U.S. to implement our foreign aid initiatives as a policy component? These questions and more are answered in this week’s episode of Fault Lines! Be sure to read Les and Morgan’s paper on our website here. If you like what you hear, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to future episodes of Fault Lines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Sarah, Megan, and Jamil discuss the presence of Russian troops in Kazakhstan and the developing relationship with Russia and China to counter the U.S. Does the current situation in Kazakhstan matter to the U.S.? Will Russia and China be able to set aside their different interests to collaborate? These questions and more answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NSI welcomes Fred Kagan, Senior Fellow and Director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, for a deep dive on the unfolding crisis on the Ukraine-Russia border as the potential of a Russian invasion increases. What makes the current buildup of Russian troops different than those of the past? What other actions is Putin likely to take in coming months? Are direct conversations between President Biden and Putin the most effective means to address the crisis? These questions and more are answered on this week’s episode of Fault Lines!  If you like what you hear, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to future episodes of Fault Lines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special episode of Fault Lines, Jamil N. Jaffer, NSI’s Founder and Executive Director, and Lauren Zabierek, NSI Visiting Fellow and Executive Director of the Cyber Project at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, take opposite sides in a debate on mandatory cyber-reporting. Is it needed? If put into place, will it be effective? How does this hot topic relate to the larger issue of cyber infrastructure in the U.S.? These questions and more are addressed in this special, debate episode of Fault Lines! Like what you heard here? In 2022, NSI will be launching a new debate-style podcast, featuring off-the-cuff takes on the biggest questions in national security. Tweet at us at @masonnatsec with your thoughts, including who you think the winner was, and be sure to subscribe to Fault Lines to be the first to know when the series launches! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune into Fault Lines for a very special Festivus edition as some of Fault Line's favorite panelists return. Matthew F., Robert, Martha, Andrea, Jamil, Andy, Carmen, Matthew H., and Les will review the previous year and cast their predictions for 2022. What is the most important national security story of 2021? What is the biggest national security surprise of 2021? Theses questions and more answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines! Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Les, Sarah, Matthew, and Jamil will be discussing President Biden’s conversation with President Vladimir Putin’s regarding the build-up of Russian military on Ukraine’s border and the ongoing negotiations with Iran to revive the nuclear deal. Will the threat of tough sanctions deter President Putin from moving into Ukraine? Will the new nuclear deal be more favorable towards Iran? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!  Like what we’re doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NSI welcomes Captain Corey Ray, US Navy, Faculty and Former Chair of the Department of Strategy & Policy, National War College to discuss sports diplomacy. Will the Olympics diplomatic boycott be effective? What makes for an effective boycott? How are sports and politics directly intertwined? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!If you like what you hear, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to future episodes of Fault Lines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Les, Carmen, Matthew, and Rob will be discussing President Vladimir Putin’s predatory behavior against Ukraine and the hypersonic missiles recently launched by China and Russia. Will there be a Russian invasion of Ukraine? Is this a vulnerable time for President Putin? What does it mean to the US now that both China and Russia have launched hypersonic missiles? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines! Like what we’re doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special episode of Fault Lines, Jamil N. Jaffer, NSI’s Founder and Executive Director, and Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, debate on a very timely topic – whether to deter an invasion of Taiwan, the U.S. must defend Ukraine. Jamil argues the proposition that yes, the U.S. must defend Ukraine in order to deter an invasion of Taiwan while Dmitri takes the opposite position.If you enjoyed this episode, stay tuned for more! NSI and the Silverado Policy Accelerator will be kicking off a new podcast series filled with timely, no holds barred debates just like this one. To get the latest updates about when you can expect this series to be released, or to contribute ideas about future episodes, make sure to subscribe to Fault Lines and follow or tweet at us on Twitter at @MasonNatSec. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NSI welcomes retired U.S. Army Colonel Chris Kolenda for an in-depth discussion on his recently published book, "Zero-Sum Victory: What We're Getting Wrong About War", and the larger issue of how the U.S. military measures success. What is a zero-sum victory? How do we define sustainability of an insurgency? What are the flaws with how the U.S. military currently measures success?Chris concludes the podcast by describing his Fallen Hero Honor Ride, a bike ride spanning 1,700 miles to visit the gravesites of the six paratroopers from his unit who were killed in action in Afghanistan. Chris is fundraising to create scholarship endowments in the names of each of the six fallen soldiers; these scholarships will support education, trade, and developmental expenses for paratroopers, family members, and descendants of the unit (TF SABER and 1-91 CAV, 173rd Airborne) and veterans, as well as disadvantaged youth from the Milwaukee area.Click here for more on Chris’ project.If you would like to donate to Chris’ project, please visit its GoFundMe. Like what we’re doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.