Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 501: In the Danger Zone: Russia’s Drones Cross NATO Lines Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Today, Les, Jamil, Martha, and Jess unpack reports of Russian drones violating Romanian and Polish airspace—sparking NATO forces to intercept and raising the stakes of direct conflict between NATO and Russia for the first time. With Russian attacks in Ukraine intensifying and Trump fresh from meetings with Putin and European leaders, the question of how the U.S. and NATO should respond is more urgent than ever.

Is Putin deliberately testing NATO’s resolve, betting he can cross red lines without consequence? Are sanctions and weapons deliveries enough, or is it time to escalate—whether through stronger economic pressure, expanded air defense, or even shutting down airspace over Ukraine?

Check out these sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/world/europe/romania-drone-russia-ukraine.html?unlocked_article_code=1.l08.bTAn.Cgo3MiA_TcVN&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

https://www.newsweek.com/romania-russia-drone-poland-nato-ukraine-2129521

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/romania-scrambles-fighter-jets-after-reporting-drone-incursion-russia-ukraine/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80g7g5rmlno

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@marthamillerdc

@NotTVJessJones

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Episode 500: Defining the Next Era of National Security Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

To mark Fault Lines’ 500th episode, Martha, Jamil, Les, Morgan, and Jess reflect on how September 11, 2001 reshaped U.S. national security—and what comes next. From the trauma of that day to more recent shocks like political violence at home, the team examines how terrorism has evolved but remains a persistent threat, both domestically and abroad. They share personal experiences from 9/11 and the years that followed, the unity it inspired, and the lessons Americans cannot afford to forget.

But if terrorism once defined an era, what will define the next? Will it be great power competition, a resurgent Russia, technology-driven threats, or growing disunity at home? How can the U.S. strike the balance between strength and restraint, maintain deterrence without complacency, and rebuild trust in American leadership at home and abroad?

@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@NotTVJessJones

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/aLl4ZMwrebc

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Episode 499: Operation Summit of Fire: Israel Strikes in Doha Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Today, Morgan, Martha, and Bishop break down Israel’s dramatic strike on Hamas officials in Doha, part of Operation Summit of Fire. The attack killed five Hamas leaders—including the son of senior figure Khalil al-Hayya, though al-Hayya himself survived—and has sparked outrage in Qatar, a key U.S. partner and major host of CENTCOM operations. The Trump administration reportedly received little advance notice, raising questions about coordination and accountability.

What does this escalation mean for Israel’s war in Gaza and the broader Middle East? Does striking so openly in a U.S. ally’s capital mark a dangerous new precedent—or simply reinforce the longstanding message that those who threaten Israel will be hunted down? How will this affect hostage negotiations, U.S.–Qatar relations, and the fragile path toward a potential ceasefire?

Check out these sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions:

https://apnews.com/article/qatar-explosion-doha-e319dd51b170161372442831a8023db5

@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@bishopgarrison

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/R6NJ848xDC4

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Episode 498: Russia’s Biggest Strike Yet—What’s Next for Ukraine and the U.S.? Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Today, Martha, Morgan, and Jess discuss Russia’s most massive aerial strike since the start of the full-scale invasion—an onslaught of over 800 Shahed drones, plus ballistic and cruise missiles. For the first time, Moscow hit Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building, alongside devastating strikes on civilian areas. President Trump, signaling frustration, pledged to speak with Vladimir Putin soon as his team weighs a “phase two” sanctions package targeting Russian oil revenues and potentially punishing foreign buyers. Despite summits and talk of diplomacy, there is still no ceasefire framework or serious negotiations in sight.

What does Russia’s choice of targets reveal about its strategy at this stage of the war? How effective could a new round of U.S. and European sanctions be in pressuring Moscow? And with no diplomatic momentum, what options remain for Washington and Kyiv to shift the trajectory of the conflict?

Check out these sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/02/congress-pulls-the-rug-on-u-s-plan-to-beat-huawei-00527620

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/world/asia/china-hack-salt-typhoon.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/23/cisa-cyberattacks-china-doge-cuts/

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/RDSCYp3jJl4

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Episode 497: Salt Typhoon — China’s Cyber Blitz Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Algene break down Salt Typhoon — a years-long Chinese cyber campaign that impacted 80 countries, targeted U.S. telecommunications firms, and compromised millions of people, including political leaders and even National Guard systems. A new multinational report links the operation to three Chinese firms tied to Beijing’s military services, underscoring the scale of China’s push to dominate the global cyber domain even as the U.S. cuts cyber budgets.

How much damage did Salt Typhoon really do, and why should Americans care? Will Congress step up to strengthen U.S. cyber defenses? And why is Washington pulling back at the very moment that Beijing is doubling down on cyber operations?

Check out these sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/02/congress-pulls-the-rug-on-u-s-plan-to-beat-huawei-00527620

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/world/asia/china-hack-salt-typhoon.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/23/cisa-cyberattacks-china-doge-cuts/

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

@AlgeneSajery

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/73tIjXQtUA0

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Episode 496: FAFO Doctrine: Israel’s Strike on the Houthis Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Jess break down Israel’s strike on senior Houthi leaders in Yemen—a dramatic escalation in the conflict that has seen the Houthis effectively declare war on the Red Sea. Despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire in May, the group has continued to fire on international shipping, crippling global trade routes through the Suez Canal and acting as a key proxy for Iran. Israel’s strike, which killed the Houthis’ prime minister, foreign minister, and senior advisers, signals a shift in tempo and a warning shot at Tehran’s allies.

Does this change the long-term balance in the Red Sea, or will the Houthis adapt and keep attacking? How much leverage do Israel and the U.S. really have, given the Houthis’ resilience against years of outside strikes? And with Israel adopting what officials call the “FAFO doctrine”—short for “f— around and find out”—are we entering a new phase of deterrence?

Check out these sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c620ykrxedwo

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/thousands-attend-funeral-houthi-leaders-killed-by-israeli-strike-vow-revenge-2025-09-01/

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hit-yemen-targets-just-hours-after-intelligence-officers-flagged-an-imminent-houthi-meeting-2eb3dd81

@LesterMunson

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/eYTr8jalrNU

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 495: Axis on Parade: Kim, Xi, and Putin in Beijing Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Today, Martha, Les, and Matt unpack the rare joint appearance of Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin at Beijing’s massive September 3rd military parade—marking 80 years since Japan’s WWII surrender. The spectacle highlights a deepening alignment among China, Russia, and North Korea, even as Trump’s recent summit with Putin and potential meeting with Xi raise questions about how U.S. outreach could alter their dynamic.

What are Kim, Xi, and Putin hoping to signal by appearing together? How do their competing interests—North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and China’s broader global strategy—complicate the façade of unity? And as Washington considers its next moves, can the U.S. exploit fractures amongst these countries or does the Beijing display represent a more durable front against Western power?

Check out these sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions:

https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/kim-and-putin-to-join-xi-in-show-of-unity-at-beijing-military-parade-98948203

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/28/g-s1-85964/north-koreas-kim-will-meet-with-xi-and-putin-at-chinese-military-parade

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx29z9g2kl2o

@LesterMunson

@marthamillerdc

@WMattHayden

Like what we're doing here?

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/6Sd1bYhqcMI

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Fault Lines 494: Seoul Searching in Washington Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

Today, Jess, Les, and Bishop unpack South Korean President Lee’s first visit to Washington and his meeting with President Trump. The two leaders struck a warm rapport, with Trump raising ideas about engagement with North Korea and Lee casting Trump as potential peacemaker on the peninsula. But as Seoul works to balance relations with both Washington and Beijing, Trump’s out-of-the-box, business-style approach may add unpredictability to one of the world’s most sensitive regions.

Will Trump’s style strengthen—or strain—the U.S.–South Korea alliance? Can engagement with Kim Jong Un move forward without a real strategy? Does Trump’s deal-making style translate into real policy, or just make for good headlines?

Check out these stories that helped shape our Fellows’ discussion:

https://apnews.com/video/trump-repeatedly-touts-great-relationship-with-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-da5084139a49459cb61f6dbe5567b13a

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/25/trump-south-korea-president-visit/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5pdlgl64zo

@NotTVJessJones

@LesterMunson

@BishopGarrison

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/jLyczvHunH0

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Episode 493: Intelligence Under Fire: The DIA Shakeup Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Today, Les, Bishop, and Jess unpack the surprise firing of Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, alongside other senior military leaders last Friday. Reports have linked Kruse’s ouster to the disputed assessment of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program—where the DIA judged damage as temporary while President Trump declared Iran’s capabilities “obliterated.” The shakeups follow other recent removals at NSA, the Joint Chiefs, and even senior analysts, raising questions about politicization and the long-term health of America’s intelligence apparatus.

Are these firings about accountability—or loyalty? With quiet clearance revocations and reports of reduced intel-sharing with allies, are we weakening our ability to respond to adversaries like Iran, Russia, and China? And should we give the administration the benefit of the doubt, or are these purges creating more risk than resolve?

Check out these stories that helped shape our Fellows’ discussion:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dj217z2w6o

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/latest-purge-hegseth-removes-head-pentagon-intelligence-agency-other-senior-2025-08-22/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/08/22/defense-intelligence-agency-kruse-fired-hegseth/

@NotTVJessJones

@LesterMunson

@BishopGarrison

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/VQy33n69rqE

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Episode 492: From Cartels to Caracas: U.S. Priorities in Latin America Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Today, Jess, Les, and Amy break down the U.S. deployment of three Navy destroyers off the coast of Venezuela—a move the Trump administration says is aimed at countering drug cartels and fentanyl trafficking. President Trump has also labeled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro a “narco-terrorist,” doubled the reward for his arrest, and authorized the Pentagon to use military force against cartels, some of which his administration now classifies as terrorist organizations.

Is this naval deployment about cartel crackdowns, Maduro, or something else? Does this show of naval power risk escalating tensions, or does it provide the deterrence Washington needs against drug trafficking operations? Does this move help counter China, Russia, and Iran’s growing influence in the hemisphere?

Check out these stories that helped shape our Fellows’ discussion:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-warships-venezuela-trump-nicolas-maduro-tension-drug-cartel-accusations/

https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-destroyers-maduro-drug-cartels-e33794ebc24d9031e536d132ce205b4c

https://www.foxnews.com/us/u-s-warships-patrol-international-waters-venezuela-trump-vows-stop-cartels

@NotTVJessJones

@LesterMunson

@amykmitchell

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/m_OIkqBvppg

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.