Fault Lines

Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Jess unpack the latest developments in the Middle East and King Abdullah of Jordan’s visit to Washington, D.C. With Trump’s Saturday deadline for the release of Israeli hostages looming, tensions are rising as the Arab League prepares to meet and as Egypt and Jordan weigh their response to Trump’s push for them to take in displaced Palestinians.What impact will Trump’s threat to withhold aid from Egypt and Jordan have? Is his strategy giving Arab states flexibility or forcing their hand? And as Middle East dynamics shift, what role can U.S. allies play in addressing the humanitarian crisis?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/11/trump-abdullah-gaza-plan-00203602 https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/11/politics/trump-jordan-king-abdullah-gaza-plan/index.html https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-wants-jordans-help-with-gaza-its-king-is-looking-for-a-way-to-say-no-0958ad69?mod=world_lead_story https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/11/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-jordan-egypt-news-hamas/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones @morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here:  https://youtu.be/grrJd5Vvf2E Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Bishop, and Jeffery discuss the latest developments in Sudan, where over 200,000 people have died in the ongoing conflict between government forces and the RSF. While Sudanese forces have secured Khartoum and are discussing the political future, the fight is far from over, as RSF forces still hold Darfur.With Russia backing Sudan’s military and Iran creeping in, the battle for Port Sudan and Red Sea access has become another front in the global power struggle. Can the U.S. rally its partners to counter Russian and Chinese influence? How does Washington’s delayed response and foreign policy uncertainty impact its credibility? And with USAID in turmoil, what will happen to the humanitarian crisis on the ground?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1159871https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-form-new-government-after-regaining-khartoum-say-military-sources-2025-02-09/https://au.int/en/articles/sudan-suspended-african-union Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/c_VoVL9b4S4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Morgan, and Jess break down Donald Trump’s controversial proposal for Gaza—relocating Palestinians while the U.S. oversees reconstruction. With pushback from Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia and mixed reactions in Israel, the plan raises critical questions about feasibility, diplomacy, and regional security.Who, if anyone, is willing to take responsibility for Gaza? Could this plan derail Saudi-Israel normalization? And what does this mean for the broader regional threat from Iran—has the U.S. lost focus on the bigger strategic picture?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://x.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1887543148781461806/photo/1 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-defense-minister-orders-army-prepare-gaza-residents-departure-media-2025-02-06/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/06/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-egypt-trump-displacement/cd5ab7c2-e46e-11ef-ab83-bb30e4340014_story.html https://apnews.com/article/israel-trump-gaza-netanyahu-169d497ac07760ccb9724bef5982338a Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@morganlroach@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/W3o3kbH5zmw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Morgan discuss upheaval at USAID as the agency faces sweeping changes under the Trump Administration. With the freezing of nearly all foreign assistance, most USAID employees reportedly placed on leave, and international staff ordered to return to the U.S., the future of U.S. foreign assistance is in question.What role does USAID play in advancing U.S. interests abroad? How will the freeze on aid programs affect critical initiatives like PEPFAR and global healthcare? What are the long-term consequences of these far reaching changes on U.S. foreign policy, American businesses, and global influence?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-layoffs-7e0a159d8a419c4c9388ab02e8259f23 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/us/politics/usaid-trump-musk.htmlhttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/usaid-elon-musk-donald-trump-b2692144.htmlFollow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/SlUrvRS4BSc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 409: Tariff Turmoil: Trump’s Trade War and Its Global FalloutToday, Morgan, Martha, and Jess discuss President Trump’s latest move to impose sweeping tariffs using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), citing illegal migration and fentanyl as justification. The plan includes 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% on China, which has prompted retaliatory measures from U.S. trading partners.What are the unintended consequences for American taxpayers? If the U.S. retreats from the global economic stage, who steps in to fill the void? And with past tariffs failing to bring manufacturing back, will this strategy hurt the very voters who elected Trump?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70kn4676p4o https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/02/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/us/politics/trump-tariffs-ieepa.html https://www.reuters.com/business/trump-stretches-trade-law-boundaries-with-canada-mexico-china-tariffs-2025-02-02/ Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/iLb6rTb54is Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Matt, Bishop, and Andrew break down the latest Russia-Ukraine developments, the growing pressure on Putin, and the rising costs of war. They examine the strength of the Western alliance, the effect of sanctions against Russia, the Nord Stream 2 fallout, and whether boosting U.S. energy production could curb Europe’s reliance on Russian oil. As modern warfare evolves, hybrid conflict, drone strikes, and Wagner’s war crimes are reshaping security far beyond Ukraine.Will Russia’s mounting losses force Putin to negotiate? How strong is the U.S. and European alliance as the war drags on? Could energy shifts change the geopolitical balance? And is modern conflict entering a dangerous new phase?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2000262/putin-russia-revolthttps://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/29/ukrainian-drones-flew-500-miles-and-in-a-single-strike-damaged-5-of-russias-oil-refining-capacity/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg84r5g8d0oFollow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@WMattHayden@AndrewBorene@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/jsytDeH8kj0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Bishop, Amy, Marc, and Algene discuss the chilling effect and confusion created by the Trump administration’s broad pause on federal programs, including those at State, USAID, and domestic initiatives funded through federal grants. With confusion over what can move forward and what funding is on hold, the uncertainty is rippling across the government.Given some of the uncertainty it’s created, could this move weaken America’s ability to respond to national security threats? How does cutting foreign aid impact U.S. leadership abroad? Will China and Russia step in to fill the void? And how will the freeze on domestic programs affect states and communities across the country?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/what-the-f-is-going-on-confusion-uncertainty-in-industry-as-army-contracts-seemingly-halted/ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/us/politics/medicaid-freeze.html https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/dc-federal-judge-temporarily-blocks-trump-plan-pause-federal-aid-spend-rcna189706 Follow our experts on Twitter: @BishopGarrison@amykmitchell@Washingtonflack@AlgeneSajeryLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/NkcFNU8w5HY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Morgan, Amy, and Matt dive into the weekend’s hot story regarding Colombia’s refusal to accept U.S. military planes carrying deported immigrants.  This refusal resulted in President Trump announcing tariffs and sanctions targeting the country, Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s announcement of retaliatory tariffs, and a late night statement from the White House indicating that Bogota had accepted all of President Trump’s terms and that flights would resume. How might this episode impact U.S.-Colombia relations moving forward? What would a trade war with Colombia have looked like?  How might Trump’s early diplomatic approach highlighted here affect long-term relationships with allies?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/01/26/trump-colombia-deportation-flights-migrants-tariffs/ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/26/world/americas/colombia-us-deportation-flights.html https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombias-petro-will-not-allow-us-planes-return-migrants-2025-01-26/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@amykmitchell@NotTVJessJones @WMattHaydenLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/ZMYKd4Jh6WE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Les, Marc, and Amy discuss President Trump’s decision to revoke security clearances for officials who signed the Hunter Biden laptop letter and to withdraw protective details for former officials like Mike Pompeo, Brian Hook, and John Bolton. Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is reorganizing the National Security Council.What message do these actions send to allies, adversaries, and current national security officials? Is this a practical step to reshape the NSC or a risky precedent with far-reaching implications?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/us/politics/trump-pompeo-security-iran.htmlhttps://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/01/20/politics/trump-revokes-security-clearances-former-officials-hunter-biden-laptop-letter https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/5098612-john-bolton-donald-trump-secret-service/amp/ https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/21/politics/video/john-bolton-trump-pulls-secret-service-detail-tapper-digvid Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@lestermunson@amykmitchell@WashingtonflackLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/o90JiQRd-jg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, and Jes dive into the ongoing battle over TikTok. After Congress passed bipartisan legislation forcing TikTok to divest from ByteDance, the Supreme Court upheld the decision. However, President-elect Trump’s Day 1 Executive Order paused enforcement, proposing a 50% ownership deal with 72 days for review.Can TikTok operations truly be secured to address national security concerns? What does this proposed deal reveal about Trump’s approach to China, and how does the struggle between Congress and the Executive Branch shape this debate?Tune in to explore the answers and what this means for the millions of Americans on TikTok.Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-da11df6d59c17e2c17eea40c4042386d https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-goes-dark-us-users-trump-says-save-tiktok-2025-01-19/ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/19/donald-trump-tik-tok-ownership-united-states/77831835007/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/01/21/tiktok-ban-download-back/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@lestermunson@NotTVJessJones Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/xXxdPyxH_kA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Algene discuss the Gaza-Israel ceasefire and hostage deal, marking a turning point 15 months into the conflict. Brokered with negotiators from both the Biden and Trump administrations, this agreement demonstrates rare unity across the political divide. With hostages and Palestinian prisoners set to be exchanged in phases, and Israeli forces withdrawing from key areas, the deal raises critical questions. Should President-elect Donald Trump be considered “the closer” on this deal? Can the U.S. and Israel ensure Iran remains isolated? And will this deal hold through its initial phase and beyond?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-quarrel-over-final-details-of-gaza-cease-fire-2fbb837b https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/01/16/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-news-hamas/ https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-quarrel-over-final-details-of-gaza-cease-fire-2fbb837b Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@morganlroach@lestermunson@AlgeneSajeryLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/m2pSL8p4VSA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Les, Martha, and Jess discuss this week’s national security nomination hearings, happening less than a week before Donald Trump is sworn in as president. This week, Pete Hegseth, nominee Secretary of Defense, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State; and John Ratcliffe for CIA Director, are all under the spotlight. Are Trump’s choices a sign of a cultural shift in the Pentagon, what are the national security implications and how does the Senate’s performance in vetting nominees stack up?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroach@lestermunsonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/e23HnQhuoR0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Amy delve into President-elect Trump’s recent comments on the strategic importance of Greenland and the Panama Canal to U.S. national security. His refusal to rule out the use of military force to secure these regions has raised eyebrows, ignited debate, and brought renewed attention to key geopolitical areas where the U.S. faces increasing competition from Russia and China.What do Trump’s remarks signal for U.S. security priorities, particularly as Russia and China expand their influence in the Arctic and Latin America? How can the U.S. deepen its relationship with Greenland, especially as it pursues independence?  What steps can the U.S. take to mitigate China’s growing leverage over the Panama Canal and its presence in the Western Hemisphere?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/12/trump-greenland-panama-canal-expansion/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/09/greenland-prime-minister-mute-egede-calm-unity-trump-comments-denmark https://www.npr.org/2025/01/11/nx-s1-5253910/donald-trump-greenland-panama-canal-canada https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/right-to-be-concerned-about-chinas-influence-over-the-panama-canal/  Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroach@amykmitchellLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/JdGjrAhpWH8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, and Bishop discuss the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after nine years in office, leaving him as a caretaker PM until a new leader is selected. This leadership change raises questions about Canada’s future role on the global stage and its evolving relationship with the United States.Will Trudeau’s successor be ready to navigate challenges like Trump’s potential tariffs on Canadian imports, the housing and affordability crisis, and Canada’s role as a leading energy exporter to the U.S.?  Will this shift bring Canada closer to becoming “America’s 51st state”? Why is this happening now?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/justin-trudeau-canadian-prime-minister-why-he-resigned-1235227842/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-trudeaus-resignation-compounds-economic-uncertainty-ahead-of-possible/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-trudeau-resignation-election-call/Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@lestermunson@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/mynaxu6iGeA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, Matt, and Morgan reflect on the most significant foreign policy event of 2024 and explore its potential impact on global affairs in 2025. From emerging power struggles to unexpected alliances, they share bold predictions that could shake up the international stage next year.What region or issue will dominate headlines in 2025? What’s their biggest wish for U.S. foreign policy moving forward? And which books, articles, or podcasts do they recommend for making sense of the complex year ahead?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@lestermunson@WMattHayden@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/fjRBdnRvjy0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Jess and Martha interview Sharon Weinberger, the national security and foreign policy editor at The Wall Street Journal. She is an expert on the national security space, military science, and technology. She has published three books on military technology and weapons research, including her latest book, “The Imagineers of War: The Untold Story of DARPA, the Pentagon Agency That Changed the World.”Why did you choose to focus on U.S. national security? How can the U.S. strengthen its defense industrial space? Why do you think more people are drawn to the national security space? Given the worldwide risks journalists face, how does your team consider these risks to journalist’s safety?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!This marks the final episode of our special series.  Tune in on January 10, 2025, when the regular programming of Fault Lines returns!  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!  Follow our experts on Twitter:@NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@weinbergersaLike what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/02R2PZZ7YqA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Martha and Les interview Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors, and a Co-Founder, former Chief Executive Officer, and now Chair of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Prior to her role at CNAS, she served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the Obama administration where she was the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense in the formulation of national security and defense policy, oversight of military plans and operations, and in National Security Council deliberations.Should we be considered about political instability impacting our allied partners? How can we ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the emerging tech space? How do we explain the value of America’s non-defense engagement in the Indo-Pacific to the American public?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Fault Lines crew and our special episodes recorded live at RNDF! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@marthamillerdc@lestermunsonA Special Thanks to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & institute!Follow them: @ReaganInstituteRead the 2024 Reagan National Defense Survey Here: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Like what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Morgan and Jess interview Vibhav Altekar Co-Founder and Vice President of Software at Saronic Technologies, a defense technology company dedicated to advancing naval warfare through cutting-edge technological solutions. How has the geopolitical atmosphere changed the maritime domain? What are the reasons for the recent influx of investment into the defense sector? What are the opportunities for defense technologies moving forward?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Fault Lines crew and our special episodes recorded live at RNDF! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@morganlroach@NotTVJessJonesA Special Thanks to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & institute!Follow them: @ReaganInstituteRead the 2024 Reagan National Defense Survey Here: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Like what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/6Ulz4AXgJes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded after the Reagan National Defense Forum, Martha and Les interview Amb. Robert O’Brien, the co-founder and chairman of American Global Strategies and a former National Security Advisor for the Trump Administration. Before becoming National Security Advisor, he was appointed special envoy for Hostage affairs.What is President Trump’s “peace through strength” approach? Should America be concerned about the instability of our allies and partners? With more NATO members meeting their spending requirements, do you see a shift in how Trump interacts with NATO? How should the US prioritize its strategy to disrupt the growing Axis of Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Fault Lines crew and our special episodes recorded live at RNDF! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@marthamillerdc@lestermunson@robertcobrienRead Amb. O’Brien’s Foreign Affairs Article Here: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/return-peace-strength-trump-obrien A Special Thanks to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & institute!Follow them: @ReaganInstituteRead the 2024 Reagan National Defense Survey Here: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Like what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/pdwySlM0TdU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Morgan and Martha interview Representative Jim Himes (D-CT-4) who serves as Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services. Prior to serving in Congress, Himes ran the New York City branch of The Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing urban poverty challenges. Himes holds a Master of Philosophy in Latin American Studies from the University of Oxford, which he obtained after he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. He also received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University.How has U.S. global leadership changed throughout the past three presidential administrations? How does the United States’ position in key global partnerships change in the near future? How should the incoming Trump Administration balance and prioritize intelligence tasking needs in the era of competing threats?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Special Series at RNDF on The Future of U.S. Global Leadership this week on Fault Lines! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@morganlroach@marthamillerdc@jahimesLike what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/4E44k41LkJ8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Morgan and Les interview Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the Defense Modernization Caucus to discuss opportunities for strengthening national security through emergent technologies. What spurred the creation of the Defense Modernization Caucus? Are we going fast enough in our defense modernization? What can the incoming administration do to make the most impact on our defense modernization?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Special Series at RNDF on The Future of U.S. Global Leadership this week on Fault Lines! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow today’s experts on Twitter:@morganlroach@lestermunson@SenKevinCramerLike what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/K1UC5ZsutWQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Jess and Les interview Rep. John Moolenaar (MI-02) who serves as Chairman of the House Select Committee on China. In his role as Chairman, he leads the Committee’s work addressing strategic competition between the U.S. and China, including tackling issues such as China’s trade practices and intellectual property theft, human rights abuses, and other national security concerns.What are the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. defense industrial base? Is the U.S. making appropriate investments in emerging technologies and adopting them quickly enough? Does the American public understand the urgency of the threat of China?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Stay tuned for more of the Fault Lines crew and our special episodes recorded live at RNDF! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@NotTVJessJones@lestermunsonLike what we're doing here?Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/omO5IziMKJM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Jess, Les, and Jeffrey discuss the short-lived attempt by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law on South Korea. Yoon ordered martial law Tuesday evening without warning in a speech where he vowed to eliminate “anti-state” forces. Mass protests quickly formed outside South Korea’s National Assembly where members voted to block martial law. Yoon’s Cabinet then lifted the martial law and opposition parties have put forward an impeachment motion against Yoon, with a vote expected to occur later this week.What does this attempt mean for democracy and democratic norms globally?  Why did President Yoon try to implement martial law? Why was the U.S. caught off guard?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cn38321180et https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-martial-law-north-korea-emergency-b310df4fece42c27051f58b8951f346f https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/03/world/south-korea-martial-law?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20241203&instance_id=141182&nl=breaking-news&regi_id=85184605&segment_id=184702&user_id=656d1e51a8895843517d206c45ff8da5 https://www.ft.com/content/a13a7978-6fbe-4f44-9c78-1fc066d8a88b https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-martial-law-25a2a7c957e77a19f771b6b7c56a2173 https://apnews.com/article/korea-martial-law-yoon-president-9adbff7c7df6a2fa22b1fbf955a495fa https://apnews.com/video/south-korea-yoon-suk-yeol-protests-and-demonstrations-north-korea-government-01e70dab69524a3d97854c0c5e196e79 Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@lestermunson@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/zCN4clfwRIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Jeffrey discuss the recent fall of the Syrian city of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, to Al-Qaeda-linked rebel forces, reawakening the long-dormant civil war that began during the Arab Spring in 2011. Syrian and allied Russian forces have responded by launching a series of airstrikes on Aleppo and Idlib, where the rebel forces have been based. Who exactly are the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)?  Is this development in Syria good for the United States and our allies? Why is this happening now?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/syria-hts-assad-aleppo-fighting-2be43ee530b7932b123a0f26b158ac22 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce313jn453zo https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/russia-syrian-regime-strike-rebel-held-territory-as-anti-assad-forces-advance-ed84d6aehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/01/syria-rebels-assad-aleppo-russia-iran/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/world/middleeast/syria-rebels-bashar-al-assad.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb&ngrp=mnp&pvid=EF641E37-7C9E-49F2-9147-F47D2A13030B Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@lestermunson@marthamillerdcLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/FpZLI9d6ArU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Morgan, Amy, and Matt discuss Salt Typhoon, a hacking group closely linked to China’s Ministry of State Security, that infiltrated U.S. telecommunications networks as part of a sophisticated cyber-espionage campaign. On Friday, telecom executives were summoned to the White House where U.S. national security and intel officials told industry leaders they needed to help prevent Chinese agents from accessing their networks.What was the scope of China’s most recent cyber campaign?  What has been the Biden Administration’s approach to Chinese hacking operations and what might be incoming President Trump’s strategy? How should the U.S. respond to adversarial states and groups like Salt Typhoon?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion! https://cyberscoop.com/china-apt-eset-target-typhoon-mirrorface/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/library-congress-email-system-hacked-earlier-year-foreign-adversary.amphttps://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/11/23/politics/chinese-cyber-espionage-telecom-execs https://cybermagazine.com/articles/examining-the-worst-telco-cyber-attack-in-us-history https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/us/politics/chinese-hack-telecom-white-house.htmlFollow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@amykmitchell@NotTVJessJones@WMattHaydenLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/ZdOI7S99kt8?feature=shared Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Martha, Jeffrey, and first-time guest, Algene Sajery, discuss the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and deceased Hamas terrorist Mohammed Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The decision by the ICC to issue these warrants has divided the international community drawing condemnation from the Israeli government for the ICC's anti-semitism and the United States questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israel which is not party to the ICC.How do these charges impact Israel’s diplomatic isolation? Do these warrants diminish the ICC’s reputation further? How will the incoming Trump administration respond to the ICC?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.reuters.com/world/icc-issues-arrest-warrants-israels-netanyahu-gallant-hamas-leader-2024-11-21/https://apnews.com/article/icc-israel-hamas-warrants-netanyahu-palestinian-arrest-73c854d072e0a1a41b19b2cb2cdd07fa https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-arrest-warrant-international-criminal-court-war-crimes-8668a2683972297c5a22ea30164a1445https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/11/21/world/israel-netanyahu-hamas-gaza https://www.foxnews.com/world/icc-rejects-israel-appeals-issues-arrest-warrants-benjamin-netanyahu-yoav-gallant https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-gaza-netanyahu-11-2024-intl/index.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@marthamillerdc@AlgeneSajeryLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/v5zxOK0HKRs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Jess, Andy, and Jeffrey discuss the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy activists to four to ten-year prison sentences by the Hong Kong government under the Beijing-induced national security law. This is the largest usage of the law since it was enacted in 2020 to suppress a once-thriving pro-democracy movement. This sentencing comes amidst a three-day Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit hosted in Hong Kong where Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng touted Hong Kong as an international finance hub. Are these sentences and the national security law a blueprint for Taiwan if they were to be forcibly reunified with China? What should the United States do in light of these sentences? How can world leaders balance between financial incentives and protecting human rights?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-activists-sentencing-unofficial-primary-1ed13be76fa4918d83f7d3e498f2f543 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hong-kong-47-democracy-activists-sentenced-national-security-rcna180290 https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3287105/beijings-economic-tsar-set-speak-top-hong-kong-finance-summit Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@AndyKeiserLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here:  https://youtu.be/4fgQ1NKWmrc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Matt, Jeffrey, and first-time guest, Marc Raimondi, discuss President Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles to strike deeper inside Russia. This comes amidst Russia reinforcing its forces with thousands of North Korean troops with the goal of reclaiming territory lost to Ukraine’s Kursk offensive. How have the redlines by the Biden Administration impacted the war in Ukraine? How should Ukraine leverage this new capability? What does this decision mean for the incoming Trump Administration?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/us/politics/biden-ukraine-russia-atacms-missiles.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-united-states-biden/33205585.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/13/world/europe/trump-ukraine-russia-peace.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-war-zelenskyy-diplomacy-trump/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@WMattHayden@WashingtonFlackLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/-ajFxeCc9Zk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Morgan, Martha, and Matt discuss this week’s COP29, an annual climate summit where world leaders, policymakers, business executives, and others meet to discuss global emissions reduction goals, and how to finance climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, especially in the developing world. This year’s summit was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and notable heads of state not in attendance included those from the U.S., France, Russia, India, and China among others.What’s in store for the future of COP? How does U.S. domestic attitudes impact the future of addressing climate challenges? Should we worry about China’s green diplomacy efforts?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2lknel1xpohttps://www.euronews.com/green/2024/11/08/a-total-waste-of-time-the-world-leaders-shunning-cop29-over-political-spats-and-lost-confi https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/climate/cop29-baku-azerbaijan.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/climate/trump-climate-cop-negotiations.htmlhttps://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/11/trump-cop-china-climate/680611/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@WMattHaydenLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/kB4aC9Kh-Kc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Jess discuss president-elect Donald Trump’s picks for national security and foreign policy positions in the coming administration. The least surprising of which have been Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) being floated as a strong contender for Secretary of State, Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL-6) being announced as Trump’s National Security Advisor, and Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) being announced as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. However, in a surprise pick, Pete Hegseth, a Veteran and Fox News Weekend commentator has been announced as Secretary of Defense sending shockwaves throughout the beltway. How will president-elect Trump’s cabinet picks impact his foreign policy? How do our adversaries and allies view these picks? Will these picks impact the War in Ukraine?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.politico.com/interactives/2024/trump-cabinet-picks-2025-tracker/ https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/12/trump-transition-personnel-announcements-takeaway-00188936 https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps-picks-so-far-heres-who-advising-new-president https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trumps-cabinet-whos-been-picked-whos-running-2024-11-12/ https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4985802-trump-cabinet-nominees-second-term/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@morganlroach@lestermunson@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/EBsxyK8orjs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Morgan, Bishop, and Jeffrey discuss the collapse of Germany’s ruling coalition, the Traffic Light coalition, after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party, fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party over disagreements in economic policy causing them to withdraw. This has led Germany to have a minority government with Chancellor Scholz saying he would hold a vote of confidence in January, which could pave the way for new elections as early as March.What impacts does President-Elect Trump's return and his economic policies have on German politics? With economic recession and now political instability in Germany, will we see a further rise of the Far-Right? What are the broader implications for the U.S.?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/german-government-crisis-leaves-europe-headless-ahead-of-trumps-return-80cfbfc2 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/world/europe/germany-coalition-collapse-explained.html https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/07/how-the-german-governments-collapse-impacts-the-eu https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-governing-coalition-collapses/live-70692143 https://www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/germany/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@morganlroach@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/Km07LmbHn-4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Martha, Les, and Amy discuss the results of the 2024 presidential election and its implications for U.S. national security. Early Wednesday morning, former President Donald Trump became President-elect of the United States winning over 270 electoral votes. Alongside winning the presidency, the Republican party won a majority in the Senate and the House is still too close to call.Did foreign policy failures during the Biden administration contribute to the former President’s re-election? How will our adversaries and allies react to a second Trump administration? Where will the focus of the second Trump administration be in foreign policy?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://foreignpolicy.com/projects/2024-us-president-election-live-updates-harris-trump/ https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/opinion/donald-trump-2024-election.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb&ngrp=mnp&pvid=A9E8BB32-1699-438A-BD40-F936DFE4E2CF https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-vs-harris-us-voters-head-polls-turbulent-campaign-concludes-2024-11-05/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@morganlroach@amykmitchellLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/SiH-B0ItRmo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, and Jeffrey dive into the issue of election interference by malign actors on the eve of the 2024 Presidential election. Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, recently assured voters that “election infrastructure has never been more secure.” Yet, U.S. officials have flagged two fake videos circulating online and publicly identified by the FBI as part of a Russia-backed malign influence campaign aimed at sowing doubt about election security.What are the implications of increasing attempts by foreign malign actors attempting to influence our elections? Are we effectively countering these attempts at influencing or undermining our electoral system?  And perhaps most importantly, is the CISA’s message of a secure election reaching the American people?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/2-more-russian-disinformation-videos-targeting-u-s-election-circulating-online/ https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4967613-fbi-condemns-fake-election-security-videos/amp/ https://apnews.com/article/fbi-russia-georgia-fraud-disinformation-eebea4ab200682ccd3e97fb9f164e6ca https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-01/the-us-cyber-chief-trying-to-get-americans-to-trust-the-election?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTczMDY3NTAzNSwiZXhwIjoxNzMxMjc5ODM1LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJTTTlOU1FEV1JHRzAwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiI1NjZENkIwRkY1NzQ0Qjk4QjI4QTM2QjkyOTg5QjgyRSJ9.8lvkesmpjuUKfsm5kmjL4I0a9yXcLMA--MSSK1PNU2Q https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-11-01/us-election-security-officials-brace-to-protect-ballots-peopleFollow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/4yBl8CA7xik Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Jeffrey discuss recent Chinese diplomatic maneuvering.  Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve a long-standing border dispute that has led to violent clashes and it set to meet with new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before Ishiba meets with the U.S. President. Alongside these meetings, China has lodged its increasing discontent with the growing partnership between North Korea and Russia. What do these diplomatic maneuvers mean, and are they a break from the norm? How does the United States’ presidential election impact the framing of these moves?  Is there a potential wedge between Russia and China?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/world/asia/modi-xi-putin-brics.html https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/10/131421bdb5e4-urgent-japan-pm-ishiba-arranging-1st-summit-with-chinas-xi-in-nov.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/us/politics/russia-north-korea-troops-china.html https://apnews.com/article/india-china-ladakh-pact-modi-xi-border-dispute-3c071f1a9bedfe453547027a84ebcf9b https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/India-China-complete-Himalayan-troop-pullback-New-Delhi-says https://www.voanews.com/a/china-calls-for-stable-japan-relations-after-ishiba-election-victory/7802773.html https://www.brookings.edu/articles/has-india-made-friends-with-china-after-the-modi-xi-agreement/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/nELaxxTDV2c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Morgan, Bishop, and Jeffrey discuss Georgia’s recent parliamentary election that saw the pro-Russian ruling party Georgian Dream come out on top and keep its majority. However, Georgia’s pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili stated that she did not recognize the results of the election, that the country fell victim to a “Russian special operation,” and protests have seized Tbilsi, the capital.  A partial recount was announced yesterday.What do we make of allegations of Russian interference in Georgia’s election? What does this election and Georgia’s bid for EU membership signify for geopolitics?  What can Western countries do in response to this election?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/georgia-russia-election-european-union-8f040cb30e1d9c9e778383cbcbb7b2c1 https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/georgia-conducts-partial-vote-recount-after-reports-polling-irregularities-2024-10-29/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/27/world/europe/republic-of-georgia-election.html https://www.politico.eu/article/georgia-polling-election-showdown-dream-party-votes-europe-candidates/ https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/10/28/georgia-election-results-georgian-dream-dispute-eu-russia-protests/ https://www.rferl.org/amp/georgia-election-protests-russia-eu/33176435.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@morganlroach@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/ZzvEpJJRMzY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Iran in response to Iran's October 1st launch of over 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel. The targets of Israel’s retaliatory strike included Russian-supplied air defenses and military infrastructure, including a secretive military base that has been linked to Tehran’s nuclear weapons program and another base tied to its ballistic missile program.Did the Biden Administration exert any influence on Israeli targeting decisions? What does the restrained messaging from both sides in the aftermath mean? Will these strikes make Iran more dependent on its weakening proxies?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-attack-satellite-photos-gaza-lebanon-wars-0c6ee6a8544268612cb7d49727d8449dhttps://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israeli-strikes-on-iran-expose-gap-in-prowess-between-two-arch-foes-aded7cf8?st=cZQewc&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-security-council-expected-meet-monday-over-israels-strike-iran-diplomats-say-2024-10-27/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/satellite-photos-show-israel-hit-iran-missile-fuel-mixing-facilities-researchers-2024-10-26/ https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-war-attack-retaliation-analysis-80a619146abd4f8aee2a7776a8f134d1 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/9YiRhMP1mZA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Jeffrey, and Andy discuss reports that there’s evidence North Korea has dispatched 3,000 troops to Russia in a potential escalation of the nearly 3-year-old war with Ukraine. They also discuss a Wall Street Journal exclusive report that Russia through its intermediary Iran gave targeting information to Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been targeting and disrupting commercial shipping in transit in the Red Sea. Is the presence of North Korean troops in Russia an indicator of things going well for Russia? Is the Biden Administration handling the global situation well? Does the international rules-based order lack strong leadership?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/24/putin-russia-north-korea-troops/ https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-provided-targeting-data-for-houthi-assault-on-global-shipping-eabc2c2b?mod=hp_lead_pos1 https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-north-korea-war-735ab717dcf92a718adcb68bfbddc653 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@AndyKeiserLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/xf_LuHyrGio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Martha, Jess, and Les discuss the ongoing 16th annual BRICS summit hosted in Kazan, Russia. The three-day summit welcomes its newest members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as well as the UN Secretary-General. The Kremlin touted the summit as “the largest foreign policy event ever held” by Russia.How concerned should the United States and our allies and partners be about BRICS’ influence? What is the incentive for countries to join BRICS? Do these countries, as well as the UN Secretary-General, attending the BRICS summit give Russian President Vladimir Putin legitimacy?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.reuters.com/world/xi-modi-discuss-ukraine-war-with-putin-brics-considers-expansion-2024-10-23/ https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-brics-summit-china-india-d672be9b1ec2ffd0fba608e8a6aca790 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/21/world/europe/russia-china-brics.html https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/22/russias-brics-summit-whats-on-the-agenda-and-why-does-it-matter https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/21/europe/putin-russia-iran-china-brics-hnk-intl/index.html https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3ylwg4eqo https://www.economist.com/international/2024/10/20/putins-plan-to-defeat-the-dollar Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc @NotTVJessJones@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/6jHUtX8QYWs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Les, Amy, and Jeffrey discuss two pivotal elections that took place Sunday in Moldova. The first was the Presidential election, where current pro-western President Maia Sandu won the first round but did not win an outright majority, setting the stage for a run-off election with a pro-Russian candidate. The second vote was on a referendum enshrining EU accession into the Moldovan constitution, which passed by a razor-thin margin.What do elections in Moldova mean for geopolitics? Do Moldovans worry that they may become another Ukraine? Were the outcomes of these votes a surprise given Russian efforts to influence them?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/moldova-elections-eu-referendum-russia-325cb2c13beb1d76565a6e2aadef971a https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/world/europe/moldova-election-russia-eu.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/how-russia-targeting-moldovas-path-eu https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia-poses-long-term-threats-moldova%E2%80%99s-european-integration-beyond-october-elections https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/19/moldova-election-protection-biden-russia-00184429 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@amykmitchellLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/CtxMNEG4urw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, and Bishop discuss the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the chief architect of last year’s attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces killed Sinwar during a strike in Gaza, Israel’s government confirmed Thursday night. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu did not indicate that Sinwar’s killing signaled the climax of Israel’s assault on Gaza, as he vowed to bring hostages home. However, many hope it opens the door to peace.What are the impacts of Sinwar’s death on the War in Gaza and potential peace talks? How will Palestinians respond to Sinwar’s death? Will there be wider regional implications due to Sinwar’s death?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/17/world/israel-lebanon-iran-gaza-news?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&tgrp=cpy&pvid=5DDFF1AD-803D-42D5-BA43-F761AA03A69B https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-killed-hamas-leader-yahya-sinwar-gaza/ https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-lebanon-hezbollah-news-10-17-2024-d12ca71945313e601cf10876072f4182 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/5ydVzFvg0ro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Martha, and Jeffrey discuss Israel’s response, or lack thereof, to Iran’s missile attack earlier this October. The Biden Administration believes it has won assurances from Israel that it will not hit Iranian nuclear or oil sites as it looks to strike back against Iran. However, the Biden Administration recently demanded that Israel take steps in the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on U.S. military aid.Are these demands political posturing for domestic audiences by the White House? Does the United States have any influence over Israeli actions?  Is it ethical to politicize critical national security issues?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484deehttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/world/middleeast/oil-prices-israel-iran-attacks.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb&ngrp=mnp&pvid=56EB71F1-82A2-4CD1-BEDA-A0531A9D115Bhttps://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-gives-israel-30-days-improve-gazas-humanitarian-situation-or-risk-aid-reports-2024-10-15/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/10/15/letter-to-congressional-leadership-providing-an-update-on-developments-in-the-middle-east-and-the-u-s-governments-response/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/PbFTsCDxjaA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Jeffrey, Martha, and Morgan discuss increasing tensions on the Korean peninsula as North Korea has accused South Korea of flying drones and dropping anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang.  North Korea threatened to respond with force and says its front-line army units are ready to launch strikes on South Korea if the drone flights continue.Are these claims saber-rattling or a true escalation? Why are South Korean leaflets getting Kim Jong Un so mad?  Is the timing of Kim’s fiery rhetoric and the upcoming U.S. presidential election a coincidence?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-south-drones-attack-threat-border-d1b2e42665fba63dbf4cf2f36a96f5f5https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/11/asia/north-korea-south-drones-pyongyang/index.html https://apnews.com/article/north-south-korea-drones-c923535e6f414674593d74ff935adf41 https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-roads-destroy-tensions-drones-072433677101dc38e30bb65f908ec631 https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3282158/kim-jong-uns-sister-warns-south-korea-horrible-disaster Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/g0tECKdDrIY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Matt, Amy, and Jeffrey discuss the historic handover of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Backed by the White House, the United Kingdom agreed to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands after 13 rounds of negotiations over the former African colony. Importantly, the UK will retain control of the UK-US Diego Garcia military base for an initial period of 99 years. However, critics argue this move is a victory for Chinese interests in the Indo-Pacific.What are the impacts of this handover on U.S. interests in the region? Will this handover set a precedent in the use of lawfare by our adversaries? How will future administrations handle the soft and hard power changes as a result of this handover?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.politico.eu/article/republicans-us-washington-chagos-islands-deal-china-security/ https://www.newsweek.com/diego-garcia-news-uk-mauritius-chagos-islands-agreement-us-base-indian-ocean-1963650 https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/10/09/uk-chagos-islands-mauritius-diego-garcia-last-colony/ https://breakingdefense.com/2024/10/despite-hold-on-diego-garcia-uks-move-to-return-chago-islands-sparks-security-concerns/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@WMattHayden @amykmitchellLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/pxap170DOdQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Les discuss MI5’s latest threat report, in which the UK’s spy chief outlined that Britain is facing a “staggering rise” in attempts at assassination, sabotage, and other crimes on UK soil by Russia and Iran, as the two states recruit criminals to “do their dirty work,” amid a rise in terrorist threats to the European continent by a resurgent ISIS and Al-Qaeda. How can the United States and our allies respond to these kinetic and active threats? What have been the failures of successive presidential administrations to address these threats? Is the global war on terror truly over?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/uk-intelligence-mi5-threats-russia-iran-936d7c24d303ffea41f6b1cef7c7b814https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-mi5-spy-chief-details-security-threats-facing-uk-2024-10-08/ https://www.reuters.com/world/man-convicted-hostile-reconnaissance-london-based-tv-channel-critical-iran-2023-12-20/ https://apnews.com/article/germany-russia-spying-military-officer-305ee23eb4677f3215c9e3560945a0d9 https://apnews.com/article/sweden-iran-israel-criminal-gangs-proxy-d50a17efab629a585e281854d3e11407 https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-berlin-fire-diehl-behind-arson-attack-on-factory/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/Vm_v73sEmek Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, and Morgan discuss last week’s assault by the Chinese Coast Guard assault on 10 Vietnamese fishermen near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Three of the fishermen suffered broken limbs and the rest sustained other injuries, their fishing gear was damaged, and about 4 tons of their catch were sized by the Chinese.  How does this incident impact the United States’ role in the region? What are the economic ramifications of Chinese aggression? Will China change its behavior in the face of growing ties between Indo-Pacific nations in response to its aggressive actions?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/china-vietnam-paracel-south-china-sea-d86889dd2fda73499602951ef3056d32 https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/02/asia/vietnam-protest-china-attack-fishermen-intl-hnk/index.html https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-accuses-china-assaulting-vietnamese-fishermen-south-china-sea-2024-10-04/ https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3926061/allies-partners-conduct-operations-in-south-china-sea/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/03/south-china-sea-underwater-cables/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/WT6v-ZEmBqc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Les discuss Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, a 67-year-old Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) backbencher, who has grand ideas for Japanese foreign policy including establishing an Asian NATO to deter China, joint management of U.S. bases in Japan, and the United States sharing their nuclear deterrence with Japan. What does Ishiba and his foreign policy ideas mean for U.S.-Japan relations? Are any of Ishiba’s security ideas achievable? How do U.S. partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific perceive our security assurances?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.hudson.org/politics-government/shigeru-ishiba-japans-new-security-era-future-japans-foreign-policy https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/29/japans-prime-minister-ishiba-00181546 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/japans-newly-elected-prime-minister-shigeru-ishiba-forms-cabinet-with-emphasis-on-defense https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/incoming-japan-pm-ishibas-asian-nato-idea-test-us-diplomacy-2024-09-27/ https://apnews.com/article/japan-ishiba-us-south-korea-australia-china-73a66e7b2fce8c3847622acf314357e1 https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/08/how-fumio-kishida-shaped-japans-foreign-policy Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/nkjGUhSO_Xo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Morgan, Jeffrey, and Bishop discuss Tuesday’s missile strikes by Iran against Israel where at least 180 missiles were fired into Israel in what is said to be a retaliation for a series of devastating blows Israel has landed in recent weeks against Hezbollah and other Iranian proxy forces in the Middle East. What happens next? What is the Biden administration’s policy in this conflict? Is Iran an effective actor?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-10-01/israel-s-devastation-of-hezbollah-puts-iran-in-a-corner https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4909053-iran-preparing-missile-attack/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cg4qx62kkxxt?post=asset%3A4edfbeb0-ff7e-4b9c-a412-4f16fb69d23d#post https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3923320/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-irans-missile-strikes-a/ https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-02-2024-7d93f71b7894177b4f9c303671ee55de Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@BishopGarrison@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/NNyS-CkzoKA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, which killed Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, leaving behind a weakened leadership structure dismantled by successive Israeli attacks. Hezbollah’s acting leader, Naim Kassem, has vowed to continue fighting Israel, asserting that these strikes have not diminished their military capabilities.What impact have these strikes had on Hezbollah’s ability to operate effectively? Has Iranian influence waned as a result? How might the upcoming U.S. election affect its influence on key actors in the region?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-beirut-nasrallah-israel-airstrike-dahiyeh-7ebf675d75e4d49c7b307864cdbc7dc1 https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-09-30-2024-83ea5f243688f309754ec74850de4238 https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-misjudged-israels-weakness-and-irans-might-b169e552?mod=world_lead_pos2 https://newlinesmag.com/argument/end-of-an-era-what-hassan-nasrallahs-assassination-spells-for-the-middle-east/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/29/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas-war-news-gaza/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@morganlroach@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/yQNMe_GaKfw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Martha, Les, and Jeffrey discuss the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and High Level Week, where world leaders come together to debate global challenges. As intractable conflict persists, including Russia’s war on Ukraine to the conflict in the Middle East is the UN equipped to handle today's issues? With despots committing atrocities with impunity, is the UN morally hollow? How can the United States improve the UN to help tackle the larger security issues we face today?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.reuters.com/world/what-is-unga-what-will-world-leaders-talk-about-2024-09-11/ https://www.un.org/en/high-level-week-2024 https://apnews.com/article/un-guterres-summit-future-global-challenges-climate-a7aff1ff5176aafa3cc562021bbf5004 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/24/us/politics/biden-unga-speech.html https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/netanyahu-address-israel-bogged-war-barrels-114067999 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/A7L7JCrqYiU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Matt, and John discuss recent Israeli military strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon following up on their recent operation that included exploding pagers, radios, and some solar panels. These strikes aim to ensure the safety and return of over 60,000 Israelis to their homes in northern Israel which were forced to evacuate due to Hezbollah rocket attacks - but others speculate this might lead to a wider conflict.Does the United States have a strategy to respond to Iranian provocations? Are there differing visions between the U.S. and Israel in the conflict's aims? Will Iran intervene and expand the conflict into a regional war? What does this pivot mean for the hostages in Gaza?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/the-vast-hezbollah-arsenal-awaiting-israel-in-lebanon-99ce396c https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-lebanonrefugees-displaced-9d4d53e808ce5f67e234789f65d1ad71 https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-09-24-2024-640a0046aceea1b5cfb395a54ff36bcehttps://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-violence-war-hezbollah-63a15fa390a94acf46ef886cc5fb88dbhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/24/israel-lebanon-war-border-hezbollah/ https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/24/world/gaza-israel-hamas-hezbollah Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@WMattHayden@JohnCLipseyLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/2vM-BA60Osk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.