Fault Lines

Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss recent comments from former President Donald Trump criticizing NATO countries and their NATO commitments, as well Tucker Carlson’s recent interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin on topics ranging from the war in Ukraine to the cause of World War Two. Should our NATO allies be spending more on their defense budgets? Should the U.S. uphold NATO’s Article 5 if our allies don’t spend the required amount on defense?  Why did Tucker Carlson interview Vladimir Putin? Get the answer 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/world-us-canada-68266447https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/trump-rally-nato/677426/https://www.newsweek.com/poland-angrily-responds-putins-claims-about-hitler-world-war-ii-1868707 https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4458802-five-things-to-know-tucker-carlson-vladimir-putin-interview/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

*This episode was recorded before President Zelensky dismissed Gen. Zaluzhnyi and appointed Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi to lead Ukraine’s military.*Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss recent developments in the war in Ukraine with Ukrainian President Zelensky publicly confirming on Sunday that he is considering dismissing Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, head of Ukraine’s military, and David Ignatuis’ recent Washington Post article highlighting the impact of technology in the Ukraine conflict and the changing rules of war.Would President Zelensky’s potential dismissal of Gen. Zaluzhnyi make a difference on the ground? How does U.S. support factor into the current stalemate of the war?  How does support from other global repressors, like Iran and China, aid Russia? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4448543-zelensky-ukraines-military-chief-dismissal/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/02/06/russia-ukraine-drone-war-technology-stalemate/ https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/russias-adaptation-advantagehttps://www.wired.com/story/robots-are-fighting-robots-in-russias-war-in-ukraine/Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss recent shake-ups in West Africa. From Senegal postponing this month’s presidential election indefinitely, to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso leaving the regional bloc ECOWAS, and the DoD backing away due to Congressional pressure from a planned training of troops from West African nations with coup governments and records of human rights abuses. Does the U.S. have a comprehensive foreign policy in Africa? Is Congress restricting the United States’ ability to compete with Russia in the region?  What role does France play in these shake-ups? Get the answer 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/national-security/2024/01/26/pentagon-military-training-human-rights/ https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240206-senegal-s-democratic-record-on-the-line-as-presidential-vote-delay-sparks-political-crisishttps://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240202-with-ecowas-exit-mali-burkina-faso-and-niger-leave-democratic-transition-in-limbohttps://www.theafricareport.com/336073/moussa-mara-leaving-ecowas-is-going-against-the-march-of-history/Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss the over 80 strikes against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force and several other Iranian proxy militia groups in response to the recent deaths of three Americans and the wounding of over 30 more servicemembers in Jordan. Will these strikes deter further attacks by Iranian proxies? Is the United States at war with Iran? Does the Biden administration need a new Authorization for Use of Military Force? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://bbc.com/news/world-68189567https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-begins-middle-east-airstrikes-response-deaths-three-soldiers https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-condemns-u-s-strikes-as-washington-signals-further-action-17129ceb?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalinkhttps://www.cnn.com/2024/02/03/politics/strikes-us-uk-houthi-yemen?Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermunson@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, watch today's episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaiIn0nGgdE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss Wednesday’s Special Episode - NSI on the Ground: The New Hampshire Primary- where a group of New Hampshire voters shared their thoughts and opinions on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America!Were New Hampshire voter’s views on U.S. engagement in the world different than Iowans? Were the Fault Lines crew surprised by any of the views the interviewees had on foreign policy issues? Does America need to focus on getting a win to remain actively engaged in the world? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fault-lines-special-episode-nsi-on-the-ground-the/id1481982630?i=1000643687825 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0omD3Lf6nM https://www.cnn.com/election/2024/primaries-and-caucuses/exit-polls/new-hampshire/republican-primary/0 https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/primary-results/voter-analysis https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, on this special episode of Fault Lines, NSI’s Founder and Executive Director Jamil Jaffer interviewed New Hampshire voters on their thoughts on the national security issues and debates shaking up America.Do national security issues matter when voting?  Should the U.S. continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia? Are we falling behind China technologically? What is the greatest external threat to the United States? Listen to what voters had to say about these issues and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our interviews!https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/primary-results/voter-analysis https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer 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.

Today, Jamil, Morgan, and Les discuss Sunday’s drone attack in Jordan by Iranian-backed militias that killed 3 U.S. servicemembers and wounded over 30 more. President Biden has vowed to respond to this attack, which was the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by such groups against American forces across the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.Was this attack only a matter of time? How should the U.S. respond to this lethal attack? How can the Biden administration effectively deter future attacks? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/28/politics/us-troops-drone-attack-jordan?cid=ios_apphttps://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/three-u-s-troops-killed-in-drone-attack-in-jordan-b45ddb6bhttps://apnews.com/article/biden-american-service-members-killed-jordan-iran-5cb774fd835a558d840ae91263037489https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/28/us-service-members-killed-drone-attack-jordanhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/28/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-attack-on-u-s-service-members-in-northeastern-jordan-near-the-syria-border/Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Les, Morgan, and John discuss the potential collapse of the bipartisan Senate deal to pair border enforcement measures and Ukraine and Israel aid after former President Donald Trump called on Republicans to reject any deal unless given everything regarding immigration.Was this deal destined to fail? What are the geostrategic implications of failure to fund aid to Ukraine? Who is ultimately to blame for the collapse of the deal? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.newsweek.com/mitch-mcconnell-border-bill-trump-campaign-1863916https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bipartisan-border-deal-trump-senate-republicans_n_65b284c6e4b0166fc7711d79https://www.newsweek.com/maga-cant-sink-border-deal-negotiator-1864128https://www.npr.org/2024/01/25/1226883552/bipartisan-border-deal-at-risk-of-collapse-under-pressure-from-trumphttps://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-trump-a8601ec6629ddc5b769028ca99ad9879 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@morganlroach@JohnCLipseyLike 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.

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss Tuesday's Turkish parliament vote to approve Sweden’s membership bid to NATO, lifting a major hurdle to Sweden’s entry into the military alliance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who previously linked his country’s support of Sweden to Turkey’s desire to buy fighter jets from the U.S., must still sign the protocol into law. Once signed, Hungary becomes the only NATO ally to have not ratified Sweden’s accession.Will Congress allow the sale of F-16s to Turkey? How does the 2024 U.S. presidential election impact the NATO alliance? Will NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War provoke a response from Russia? Get the answer 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/turkey-sweden-nato-kurdish-militants-quran-ff81aa2d36160428d766579963f97fcehttps://apnews.com/article/orban-invites-swedish-leader-discuss-nato-membership-32d50b876dccded5c7c2f60ca7cf204bhttps://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/europe/turkey-vote-sweden-nato-intl?cid=ios_apphttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/19/sweden-young-people-national-service-civic-duty-nato-war Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss last Friday’s Special Episode - NSI on the Ground in Iowa - where average Iowans gave their thoughts and opinions on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America!Were the Fault Lines crew surprised at Iowan opinions on U.S. engagement in the world? Do we think that Friday’s conversations show U.S. policymakers need to more clearly show why national security issues matter? Did the interviews leave us feeling optimistic about American engagement with national security issues? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fault-lines-special-episode-nsi-on-the-ground-the/id1481982630?i=1000642248705 https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/primary-results/voter-analysishttps://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, on this special episode of Fault Lines, NSI’s Founder and Executive Director Jamil Jaffer interviewed Iowan voters on their thoughts on the national security issues and debates shaking up America.Do national security issues matter when voting? Should the U.S. continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia? How should the U.S. deal with Iran? Listen to what voters had to say about these issues and more in this special episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our interviews!https://www.foxnews.com/elections/2024/primary-results/voter-analysis https://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan-institute/centers/peace-through-strength/reagan-national-defense-survey/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer 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.

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss the escalating situation in the Red Sea where the U.S. and allied forces have continued their campaign of strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, while two U.S. Navy SEALs have gone missing while interdicting a ship in the Gulf of Aden meant to deliver weapons to the Houthis, and China and Russia voted for a UN Security Council resolution calling for the immediate end to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.What are we accomplishing with our current approach? Can the U.S. walk the fine line of responding without escalation? Should we change our approach with the Houthi Rebels and other Iranian-backed groups? Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-carries-new-airstrike-houthis-yemen/story?id=106414037 https://apnews.com/article/us-houthis-red-sea-jake-sullivan-yemen-ff507d06a7a44d6f3644f128e7766b3dhttps://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/01/iran-strikes-inside-pakistan-following-irgc-missile-attacks-iraq-syriahttps://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/us-seizes-iranian-weapons-houthis-yemen/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-calls-an-end-attacks-civilian-vessels-red-sea-2024-01-14/?taid=65a3eec108e2720001fef900&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitterhttps://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/two-navy-seals-are-missing-after-mission-off-coast-of-somalia/ https://apnews.com/article/un-yemen-houthis-shipping-red-sea-resolution-attacks-f26262fe055c8a1e39dee0c3c0d6f7f6 Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss the developing situation in Guyana where on Tuesday, Venezuela’s dictator Nicholas Maduro ordered the creation of a new state dubbed “Guyana Esequiba” in the wake of the recent referendum in which Venezuelan voters overwhelmingly approved the annexation of the oil-rich land from its neighbor. How does this impact the stability of the region? What role, if any, does the United States have in this developing crisis? Or is this just a domestic political tactic to ensure the survival of the Maduro regime? Get the answer 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/guyana-us-military-aid-venezuela-essequibo-cdb2b1ac1e469c7324d1be8f18c507c6 https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-conduct-flight-operations-guyana-concerns-mount-over-border-spat-2023-12-07/https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/06/americas/venezuelas-president-orders-creation-of-new-state-and-map-including-land-from-guyana/index.htmlhttps://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-guyanese-president-ali/ https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-12-08/nicolas-maduro-stirs-up-guyana-conflict-in-an-attempt-to-corner-maria-corina-machado.htmlFollow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les assess the current situation in the Middle East. Recent U.S. strikes in Iraq, an ultimatum against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and attacks from Hezbollah against Israel amid its conflict in Gaza has caused increased worry over a widening conflict in the region.Is this worry of a widening conflict justified? What role does China play in these Middle Eastern developments how do they benefit? Is the Biden Administration getting in its own way when it comes to effective policy in the region?  Get the answer to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/09/hezbollah-drone-strike-hits-key-israeli-command-centre-safed https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/07/us/politics/iran-us-israel-conflict.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AM%20JAN%208%20Punchbowl%20News%20AM&utm_term=Punchbowl%20AM%20and%20Active%20Subscribers%20from%20Memberful%20Combined https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/04/war-gaza-widen-biden-getting-ready-00133949 Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, and Les discuss U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s recent hospitalization and the breakdown of communication that had President Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary Austin’s own Deputy Kathleen Hicks, who was on vacation, out of the loop. Sec. Austin’s absence occurred as the U.S. and its allies gave an ultimatum to Houthi rebels, as well as conducted a successful airstrike on the headquarters of an Iran-backed militia in central Baghdad.Is the Secretary of Defense out of the Biden Administration’s decision-making loop? Why were key administration and Pentagon officials left in the dark over the Secretary’s hospitalization? Who ultimately should be held responsible for this breakdown?  Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/07/politics/austin-hospitalization-leaders-not-informed/index.html https://apnews.com/article/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-biden-859cc79631d6c96dbdff161faf8e4f96 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/top-military-officials-were-initially-unaware-austins-hospitalization-media-2024-01-07/ https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/06/pentagon-took-3-days-to-inform-white-houses-nsc-of-austins-hospitalization-00134176https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3633506/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-medical-care/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJonesLike 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.

Today, Les, Morgan, and Jamil discuss the recent U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq that killed commander Abu Taqwa of Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, an Iran backed militia group. This airstrike happened during a busy week for Middle East, with the continuation of the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza, Houthi forces’ attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, and the recent ISIS bombing in Iran that killed 80 people. U.S. strikes in Iraq are a rare. While the U.S. states that the airstrike was necessary and proportional in the wake of recent attacks against U.S. forces stated in the Middle East, the Iraqi government argues that the strike is a breech of trust and sovereignty. Is the U.S. airstrike a sign of a strengthened deterrence policy by the Biden Administration? Does the U.S. maintain credible deterrence in the region? What does the airstrike mean for the stability in the Middle East? How does this strike alter current U.S. policies and agreements with Iraq?Check out the sources that helped shaped our experts discussion!https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/01/04/us-strike-baghdad/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-strike-kills-iran-backed-militia-leader-in-iraq-71256676https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/04/world/middleeast/us-drone-strike-baghdad-iraq.htmlhttps://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/three-iran-backed-militia-fighters-killed-baghdad-drone-strike-sources-2024-01-04/https://www.axios.com/2024/01/04/isis-iran-explosions-responsibility-kermanFollow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Morgan, Andy, and Bishop discuss the recent attacks against shipping vessels in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen by Houthi forces. The Red Sea plays a critical role in global trade and they discuss the implications of increasing attacks for the global economy and escalation of conflict in the Middle East. They also discuss potential U.S. responses to these attacks in light of Iran’s recent deployment of a warship to the region.How do these attacks effect global trade? Is this an attempt at escalating conflict throughout the globe? What is Iran’s role? How does Iran’s recent deployment of a warship change the calculus for U.S. forces?Check out the sources that helped shaped our experts discussion!https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/maersk-pauses-red-sea-sailings-after-houthi-attack-container-ship-2023-12-31/https://jinsa.org/to-deter-houthi-strikes-in-red-sea-us-must-turn-from-defense-to-offense/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-01/iran-dispatches-warship-to-red-sea-after-us-sinks-houthi-boatshttps://www.voanews.com/amp/no-sign-houthis-will-halt-red-sea-attacks-says-us/7418725.htmlFollow our experts on Twitter: @BishopGarrison@AndyKeiser@morganlroachLike 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, Jamil and John interview Trae Stephens, Co-Founder and Chairman of Anduril Industries, a defense technology company focused on autonomous systems. Trae is also a Partner at Founders Fund, a venture capital firm that was the first institutional investor in SpaceX and Palantir Technologies, as well as an early investor in Facebook. What is the relationship between tech innovation and American national security?  How well does the Department of Defense integrate new technologies and companies into the defense industrial base?  Where does America stand today in tech innovation compared to rivals such as China?Join us after the holidays, on January 3rd, when the Fault Lines team returns to get you quickly up to speed three times a week on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America!Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@JohnCLipseyLike 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, Les and Jess interview Shannon Clark, Senior Vice President, Federal, R+D, at Palantir Technologies, who also previously served as the Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council at the White House under President Obama and as an intelligence analyst in the Department of Defense.How has the adoption of AI and other emerging technologies impacted the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel? What challenges does the U.S. national security enterprise have when adopting these emerging technologies and scaling them? How does the U.S.-China tech competition impact public-private sector cooperation?Stay tuned for more of the Special Series at RNDF Understanding The Future of Tech Innovation and National Security! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter:@notTVJessJones@JohnCLipseyLike 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, Les and Jess interview Mara Rudman, a Member of the 2022 National Defense Commission, who also currently serves as a James Schlesinger Distinguished Professor at the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.Can the U.S. be a global leader handling all the world’s hotspots or should we only focus on China? How can we sell the benefits of global engagement to everyday Americans? How does the United States feed the mis/disinformation produced by global repressors?Stay tuned for more of the Special Series at RNDF Understanding The Future of Tech Innovation and National Security! 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Jess and Les interview Secretary Leon Panetta, who previously served as the 23rd Secretary of Defense and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Secretary Panetta is currently the Chairman of the Panetta Institute and an NSI Advisory Board member!How has American engagement with the world changed over the last decade? Does the U.S. defense and policy-making communities have an accurate assessment of China’s power? Should we be surprised by the increased collaboration of global repressors and what can we do about it?Stay tuned for more of the Special Series at RNDF on Confronting the New Alliance of Global Repressors this week on Fault Lines! 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, Jess and John interview Ambassador Eric Edelman, who serves as Vice Chair of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy. Previously, Edelman served as Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Ambassador to Turkey and Finland, and lastly, and most importantly, as Jess’ professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS.How do policymakers and defense experts feel about the current state of geopolitics? Should the U.S. have anticipated the growing relationships between global repressors? What may 2024 have in store for the U.S. and our allies?Stay tuned for more of the Special Series at RNDF on Confronting the New Alliance of Global Repressors this week on Fault Lines! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@JohnCLipseyLike 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, Les and John interviewed Matthew Pottinger. Pottinger is the current Chairman for the China Program at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). Previously, Pottinger served in the White House for four years, in senior roles within the National Security Council, including serving as Deputy National Security Advisor from 2019-2021. Pottinger is credited with playing a key role in changing how the United States approaches China and raised awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to influence and interfere with U.S. institutions, including academia, the tech sector, and Wall Street. Are global repressors, including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, really an “axis” of rogue regimes? How far does their collaboration go? Does the U.S. and its allies have the capacity to deal with these rogue regimes as well as managing the hot spots around the globe? Can, and should, the U.S. decouple from China? If so, how far can this de-coupling go? Stay tuned for more of this Special Series at RNDF on Confronting the New Alliance of Global Repressors this week on Fault Lines! These are discussions you don’t want to miss! Follow our experts on Twitter:  @lestermunson @JohnCLipsey 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the upcoming Reagan National Defense Forum (RNDF). This forum brings together the top U.S. defense and national security leaders from across the country to discuss and debate how the U.S. can lead the world in an era of increasingly complex challenges and opportunities. During RNDF, NSI and the Fault Lines crew will be recording live, conducting a series of interviews with bipartisan national security and technology leaders to discuss the growing collaboration between global repressor states such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, as well as the critical importance of emerging technology and innovation to American national security.Stay tuned for Fault Lines: RNDF Global Repressors Series going live next week! These are discussions you don’t want to miss!Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the failed coup that took place in Sierra Leone on Sunday, November 26. The coup attempt comes after a contentious election in June in which President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term and on the heels of increased tensions in the West African region, highlighted by the eight military takeovers since 2020, including most recently in Niger and Gabon.Should the U.S. be worried about the high number of coups?  How must and should the Biden Administration readjust foreign assistance in the region in light of these developments?  Are there larger forces in play and are outside actors like Russia’s Wagner Group or China fostering regional instability?https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/28/world/africa/sierra-leone-arrests-attempted-coup.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67541285 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/26/sierra-leone-curfew-army-barracks-attack https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sierra-leone-information-minister-says-weekend-attack-was-failed-coup-2023-11-28/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/28/sierra-leone-attacks-were-a-failed-coup-attempt-officials-sayhttps://www.cnn.com/2023/11/27/africa/sierra-leone-military-barracks-foiled-attack-ignites-fears-over-coup-attempt/index.htmlhttps://www.africanews.com/2023/11/28/coup-attempt-in-sierra-leone-authorities/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jes, Les, and Jamil discuss the Argentinian presidential elections where the self-styled “anarcho-capitalist” candidate Javier Milei rode a wave of voter anger – including over skyrocketing inflation and national poverty rate of 40% - to claim victory. Milei has proposed dollarizing the economy, ditching the central bank, shrinking the federal government, and downgrading ties with Brazil and China. Can President-Elect Milei achieve his promises without strong allies across government? What does the election of Milei mean for democratic norms in Latin America? Can Argentina distance truly themselves from China?https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67509691https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/21/argentina-milei-election-latin-america/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-11-25/milei-s-softer-tone-shows-how-much-argentina-needs-chinahttps://apnews.com/article/milei-argentina-president-privatization-1a87d02035511982ab620104b9feb255https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/trump-tells-argentinas-president-elect-javier-milei-he-plans-to-visit-buenos-aireshttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/25/argentina-milei-libertarian-agenda-history/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunsonLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the recent Washington Post story in which anonymous Defense Department officials express frustration with what they consider an incoherent strategy by the Biden Administration for countering attacks by Iranian proxies on US forces in Iraq and Syria.  “There’s no clear definition of what we are trying to deter,” said one defense official.  In an oped over the weekend, President Biden attempted to outline his foreign policy in the wake of the War in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas War without once mentioning Iran. What should U.S. deterrence policy look like? Is our current strategy effective at preventing a wider conflict? and How do we ensure U.S. personnel are safe overseas?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/19/iranian-proxy-attacks-us-troops/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/iranian-proxies-continue-targeting-us-troops-syria-iraq-total-since-pentagonhttps://thehill.com/opinion/international/4314271-the-u-s-is-finally-hitting-back-at-irans-murderous-proxies/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/esper-us-military-strikes-against-iranian-proxies-syria https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/18/joe-biden-gaza-hamas-putin/Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at APEC 2023 in San Francisco, the first face-to-face meeting in over a year and Xi’s first visit to the U.S. in six years. The talks aimed to normalize relations at a time when the relationship between the U.S. in China has been fraught with tension. Topics discussed during the summit included re-establishing military-to-military communications, stopping fentanyl precursors from being shipped to the US, and sending us more pandas! Shortly after the summit, though, President Biden (accurately) referred to President Xi as a dictator and many issues, including Chinese threats to Taiwan and IP theft and US export controls.Was this summit all talk, or will we see a real reset? Is China’s effort to force the US to support reunification likely to make things more tense?  Should we take a harder line with China diplomatically?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.npr.org/2023/11/16/1213401317/did-biden-and-chinas-xi-hit-a-reset-not-quite-but-they-did-agree-on-a-few-thingshttps://thehill.com/policy/international/4313668-xi-gets-standing-ovation-at-banquet-with-us-executives/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/us/politics/biden-xi-china-power-balance.htmlhttps://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/16/biden-xi-dictator-00127548Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Les, Jess, and Morgan discuss the third U.S. air strike in Syria, which occurred late on Sunday. These strikes come after at least 40 attacks against U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed forces in recent weeks. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III told reporters, "These attacks must stop, and if they don't stop, then we won't hesitate to do what's necessary, again, to protect the troops." Austin said the latest air strikes in targeted facilities used by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and related groups.Will the U.S. continue or ramp up strikes against Iranian-back proxies? Will these strikes effectively deter attacks on U.S. and coalition personnel? Is the Biden Administration overly concerned with potentially escalating the conflict?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/12/us-airstrikes-iran-syria/ https://www.reuters.com/world/us-hints-more-strikes-unless-iran-linked-groups-halt-attacks-2023-11-13/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@notTVJessJones@morganlroachLike 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.

Episode 275: Beijing-Biden Bay Area ShowdownToday, Les, Morgan and Andy discuss the APEC Summit that will be taking place in San Francisco, CA. The big news is that there will be a face-to-face meeting between President Biden, and China’s President Xi Jinping. However, China has been aggressive in the South China Sea, flying within 10 feet of American pilots, distracting American pilots with lasers, and conducting aggressive cyber-attacks against the U.S, and yet the Biden administration is advocating for stronger US-China military-military (mil-mil) relationship. Are better mil-mil communications a ‘win’ for the Biden Administration? What are the Biden Administration’s achievements with negotiating with China ahead of the APEC Summit? What will the Biden Administration be able to achieve with President Biden’s and President Xi’s face-to-face meeting?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.wsj.com/world/china/what-it-took-to-get-biden-and-xi-to-the-table-b7a899c9https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/us/politics/biden-xi-meeting.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/business/economy/xi-jinping-american-business-leaders-dinner.htmlFollow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@morganlroach@AndyKeiserLike 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.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, Morgan, and special guest John Lipsey all sit down together - in person! - to discuss America’s stolen pandas and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) recent loan of $550 million to Sri Lanka to support the construction of a deep-water shipping terminal. This loan is a recent example of DFC’s efforts to support the building of global infrastructure, while also supporting U.S. foreign policy. What’s the difference between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and America’s DFC lending? Can the US DFC compete with China’s BRI globally? Should we have let China take back our pandas?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/giant-pandas-depart-smithsonians-national-zoo-and-conservation-biology-institute-for-chinahttps://www.dfc.gov/media/press-releases/dfc-makes-more-91-billion-financial-commitments-fiscal-year-2023https://www.csis.org/analysis/mission-creep-development-finance-corporationhttps://fortune.com/2023/11/08/us-dfc-china-belt-and-road-553m-investment-sri-lanka-colombo-port/Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroach@JohnCLipseyLike 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.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Ukrainian President Zelenksy's decision to rule out holding presidential elections next year even though his 5-year term ends in March 2024. With millions displaced internally or abroad, hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting on the frontlines, and the country under constant threat of Russian attacks, the possibility of administering a free, safe, and secure election seems nearly impossible.Is it possible to administer an election without U.S. aid to Ukraine? Will the absence of democratic elections in Ukraine erode already decreasing support in Congress to provide more aid? Will Zelensky foes use his decision to attack him and Ukraine's commitment to democracy?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://thehill.com/policy/international/4296123-ukraine-russia-war-volodymyr-zelensky-not-the-right-time-elections/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-birthday-grenade-b1b82e4f84eb5a39286d1500cf49fcd1https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/11/07/exp-zelensky-ukraine-elections-110704aseg1-cnni-world.cnnhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-elections-war.htmlhttps://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democracy-and-society/elections-in-times-of-war-6980/Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Episode 272: Democratic Fault Lines on IsraelToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the Biden Administration’s current policies in the region, and how the Israel-Hamas war may affect President Biden’s campaign in 2024. The group also discusses recent comments made by former President Barack Obama and Democratic strategist David Axelrod on the Biden Presidency and its Middle East policies.Where does the current Democratic party stand on support for Israel? How might the Biden Administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas evolve as public and international support wanes? Who would even run for the Democratic nomination against President Biden?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/barack-obama-argues-all-of-us-are-complicit-in-israel-hamas-conflict-urges-acknowledgement-of-whole-truth/ar-AA1jqa5ghttps://news.yahoo.com/former-obama-strategist-wonders-biden-174227003.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/05/israel-war-hamas-gaza-live-news-palestine/#link-YH6Y4KSRIRGUXN2E2CRBK7K5BAhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/05/israel-war-hamas-gaza-live-news-palestine/#link-YH6Y4KSRIRGUXN2E2CRBK7K5BAhttps://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/05/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67324897https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/blinken-seeks-to-balance-aid-for-palestinian-civilians-against-israeli-self-defense-b2c442ecFollow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunsonLike 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.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Russia’s withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests. Moscow says its de-ratification of the CTBT is merely designed to bring Russia into line with the U.S., which signed but never ratified the treaty, while others worry Russia is seeking to intimidate and evoke fear. All the while China and the United States are about to begin talks about nuclear arms control and non-proliferation.  Is Russia’s withdrawal from the CTBT symbolic, saber-rattling, or about something else? Does the war in Ukraine, which is entering its second winter, play into Russia’s decision? Will the Biden Administration's talks with China lead to an agreement or is it just lip-service?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-revokes-russias-ratification-nuclear-test-ban-treaty-2023-11-02/ https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/test-ban-treaty-at-a-glancehttps://www.icanw.org/what_is_the_nuclear_test_ban_treaty_and_why_is_russia_talking_about_leaving?locale=en https://www.reuters.com/world/china-agrees-nuclear-arms-control-talks-with-us-wsj-2023-11-01/ https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/china-agrees-to-arms-control-talks-with-u-s-87a44b38 https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/us-nuclear-arsenal-can-deter-both-china-and-russia  Follow our experts on Twitter:  @notTVJessJones @jamil_n_jaffer  @lestermunson @morganlroach 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.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil and Morgan discuss the Biden Administration giving Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic the boot from a special US-Africa trade program - the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - due to Niger and Gabon’s dictatorial takeovers and CAR and Uganda’s violations of human rights.  AGOA is set to expire in 2025, and the geopolitical landscape both across Africa and in the U.S. is much different than when AGOA first passed in 2000.What does the future of AGOA and U.S.-Africa trade look like? What's our assessment of how President Biden and Congress is doing when it comes to Africa policies and programs? How can the Biden Administration reimagine U.S.-Africa relations?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-67236251https://www.csis.org/analysis/beyond-2025-future-african-growth-and-opportunity-acthttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/us/politics/niger-coup-biden-declaration.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/10/26/pepfar-funding-delays-hiv-abortion/Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Les, Morgan and Martha discuss the Biden Admin’s approach to China all the while the world is seemingly ablaze. China has been behaving recklessly in the South China Sea, fentanyl is pouring out of China into the US, and pending on all of this is the meeting between President Biden and President Xi at the APEC Summit in San Francisco. How should President Biden approach this meeting with Xi? How should the Biden Administration handle the US-China relationship beyond this meeting? How does Gov. Newsom’s unfortunate effort in Beijing set the table for Biden?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/chinas-foreign-minister-says-road-san-francisco-summit-will-not-be-smooth-2023-10-29/https://apnews.com/article/china-usa-biden-wangyi-blinken-8e8928737f20ea092d226d5da08142f2https://www.wsj.com/world/china/u-s-worries-about-escalation-in-pacific-as-chinese-military-steps-up-confrontation-5fc06662Follow 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 268: Naming and Shaming our Nearest and DearestToday, Morgan, Martha, Jamil and Andy discuss the challenges that NATO member Turkey and Major non-NATO ally Qatar present as they play both sides between the West and our adversaries and enemies in the context of the Israel-Hamas war. What was seemingly a unifying moment for the West, Turkey and Qatar said all the wrong things about the 10/7 terrorist attack on Israel. Should the United States hold Turkey and Qatar accountable for supporting our adversaries and enemies? How does Turkey’s position in NATO influence potential members joining the alliance in the future? When is the right time for the United States to tell Turkey and Qatar that they cannot keep playing both sides? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-says-hamas-is-not-terrorist-organisation-2023-10-25/https://www.timesofisrael.com/qatar-agrees-to-review-hamas-ties-after-gaza-hostage-situation-resolved-report/amp/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231019-hamas-qatar-office-in-spotlight-as-gaza-war-intensifieshttps://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/10/25/turkeys-erdogan-scraps-israel-trip-over-inhumane-gaza-warFollow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@andykeiser@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike 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.

Episode 267: Five Eyes: Are They Actually Watching…?Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil and Morgan discuss the recent broadcast of an unprecedented public gathering of the intelligence chiefs from the Five Eyes countries - the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The conversation focused on China’s aggressive intelligence gathering efforts and its theft of IP property, alongside other threats, occurring in the U.S. and the other Five Eyes countries. How concerned should Americans be about Chinese intelligence gathering? Are the Five Eyes taking the right measures to deter China? What more can the Biden Administration do to counter such aggressive intelligence gathering?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/more-from-five-eyes-intelligence-chiefs-warning-to-60-minutes/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/24/ahead-top-chinese-diplomats-us-visit-five-eyes-officials-call-attention-chinese-hacking/Follow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike 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.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the former 3-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif’s return from his self-imposed exile, and lo’ and behold, even though he's banned from holding public office, his lawyers are confident he can be elected as the country's next Prime Minister. This comes as Pakistan is in its worst economic crisis ever, the previous Prime Minister is also facing corruption charges, a “caretaker” Prime Minister is making deals with China, and Sharif’s party is losing popularity all the while dealing with its own Taliban insurgency.  Is the Pakistan military giving Sharif the green light to run for Prime Minister? Who is really calling the shots in the Pakistan government? How might the chaotic hold-up in Congress benefit Pakistan?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-ready-boost-pakistan-ties-urges-security-guarantee-xi-2023-10-20/https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/is-nawaz-sharifs-return-a-deal-with-pakistan-military-establishment-649672/amphttps://www.ft.com/content/9811a65a-78cc-4afb-82e4-1032017d2300Follow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermusnon   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.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the serious implications from disinformation and misinformation that came after the explosion at the Al-Ahli Hospital in the Gaza. What was originally reported as an Israeli Defense Force airstrike, turned out to actually be a misfired rocket by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. However, the blame had already been cast on Israel and riots and protests against Israel broke out across the globe as a result of the inaccurate reporting. What are the implications of rampant and rapid disinformation on social media? How can media prevent such inaccurate information from being disseminated? What is President Biden’s role in preventing the mass dissemination of false information?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/disinformation-surge-threatens-fuel-israel-hamas-conflict-2023-10-18/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/10/18/what-is-israels-narrative-on-the-gaza-hospital-explosionhttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/gaza-hospital-misinformation-israel-hamas_n_65301c34e4b00565b62290cc/ampFollow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@morganlroach@jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunsonLike 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.

Episode 263: Biden’s Middle-East Diplomacy Put to the TestToday, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss President Biden’s visit to Israel. The group also assesses Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s “shuttle-diplomacy,” laying the groundwork for President Biden’s visit, and just how important this visit is for the administration’s Middle-East policy goals.  What will President Biden be able to accomplish with his visit? Will other Middle-Eastern countries be receptive to Biden’s diplomatic efforts? How do we grade Biden’s efforts thus far? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/17/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza/https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinianshttps://www.foxnews.com/opinion/3-things-us-must-israel-against-terrorist-hamashttps://www.wsj.com/articles/appeasing-iran-has-failed-biden-israel-hamas-e86e249cFollow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermusnon @morganlroach  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.

Episode 262: Israel-Hamas War: What’s Next? Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the Israel-Hamas war heating up as the Israeli Defense Forces gear up for a potential ground invasion of Gaza. Estimates of civilian casualties are in the thousands. All the while, Hezbollah threatens Israel from the north, and two U.S. carrier strike groups have been moved to the east-Mediterranean to deter Hezbollah and Iran from widening the conflict.   What happens to Gaza once the Israeli invasion is completed? What does Israel need to do to prevent other actors from inserting themselves into the conflict? What is the US’ role in all of this? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-invasion.htmlhttps://abcnews.go.com/International/exclusive-us-send-2nd-aircraft-carrier-eastern-mediterranean/story?id=103984246https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3551962/senior-defense-official-holds-a-background-briefing-on-us-force-posture-changes/Follow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermusnon @morganlroach  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.

Today, Jessica, Morgan, and Andy discuss the recent suspicious damage to a Finnish gas pipeline and telecommunications cable, both of which run under the Baltic Sea.  On Thursday, Finland's intelligence services said that a “state actor” could be responsible for the pipeline damage but didn't speculate on who might be involved. Is Putin responsible for the possible sabotage of the undersea pipeline and cable? What do we think NATO’s response will be, if any, if it is confirmed Russia was involved? How does this story relate to Turkey and Hungary stalling Sweden’s accession to NATO? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:  https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-gas-pipeline-damage-state-actor-balticconnector-antti-pelttari/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/finland-cant-rule-out-state-actor-involvement-pipeline-damage-intelligence-chief-2023-10-12/ https://apnews.com/article/finland-russia-nato-intelligence-ukraine-6605170fd8c06de7ad212d47676f4fa8 Follow our experts on Twitter:  @notTVJessJones @morganlroach @AndyKeiser 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.

Today, Morgan, Les, NSI Senior Fellow Andy Keiser, and NSI Fellow Martha Miller discuss the latest on the Israel-Hamas war, as well as Iran's role in the conflict. How should the U.S. provide assistance to Israel? Should Congress combine aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan? How have Russia and Iran colluded to increase their sphere of influence? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/biden-walks-fine-line-in-israel-conflict-916774e2 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-deaths-killings.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson @morganlroach @marthamillerdc @AndyKeiser 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.

Today, Morgan, Les, NSI Senior Fellow Andrew Borene, and NSI Fellow Martha Miller discuss recent developments on the Hamas attack on Israel. Will Congress begin funding for Israel when aid to Ukraine has been stalled? Did President Biden's desperation for an Iran nuclear deal influence this attack? What are the next steps for the United States? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/live-blog/rcna119435  Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson @morganlroach @marthamillerdc @AndrewBorene 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.

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss former speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's removal and what this means for Congress and the U.S. moving forward, in particular, for future U.S. support for Ukraine.  Who will be the next speaker of the House? Should world leaders be worried or is this just U.S. politics? Has the Biden Administration been doing enough to garner public support for Ukraine?  Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!   Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:  https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/us/politics/speaker-mccarthy-biden-democracy.html https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4239184-house-speaker-turmoil-imperils-future-ukraine-funding/ Follow our experts on Twitter:   @NotTVJessJones @lestermunson   @morganlroach   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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss China and Mexico's role in the American fentanyl epidemic and how to stop it. How big is the fentanyl problem? Is the U.S. government doing enough to combat this issue? Is this a border problem or a China-accountability problem? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://apnews.com/article/c9ee14f171f1fcbd4db3452cd0bd1d90 https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-eight-indictments-against-china-based-chemical-manufacturing Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer @NotTVJessJones @lestermunson @morganlroach 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the upcoming elections in Poland and recent anti-government demonstrations. Are U.S. policymakers and the Biden administration recognizing the importance of this election? Do these demonstrations send a larger message to the EU? Is this problematic for NATO? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/01/world/europe/poland-antigovernment-march-election.html https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/23/europe/poland-ukraine-europe-relations-putin-intl/index.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer @NotTVJessJones @lestermunson @morganlroach 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.

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss France's exit from Niger, recent coups in the Sahel, and the Wagner Group's presence in the region. Does France's exit provide an opportunity for the U.S. to step in and provide support? Should we be rethinking our institutional approach to Africa? How should the U.S. respond to the Wagner group? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.politico.eu/article/france-niger-military-army-withdrawal-west-africa-sahel-colonies-burkina-faso-mali/  https://thehill.com/policy/international/africa/4226347-aid-to-gabon-suspended-after-military-takeover/  Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson @morganlroach 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.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the disputed South China Sea, where the Philippines has recently removed a floating barrier that China had installed to prevent Philippine fishing boats from using the area. How should the U.S. best defend our interests and those of our allies in the South China Sea? Will a greater U.S. presence provoke conflict? Should the U.S. be looking more regionally?  Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66913554 https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/chinas-ten-dash-line/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer @NotTVJessJones @lestermunson @morganlroach 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.