Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 412: Sudan’s Struggle: War, Influence, and U.S. Strategy Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

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/2025/02/1159871

https://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

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@marthamillerdc

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Episode 411: Trump’s Gaza Gamble: A Plan with no Takers? Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

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

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@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@NotTVJessJones

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/W3o3kbH5zmw

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Episode 410: USAID Under Fire Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

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.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/usaid-elon-musk-donald-trump-b2692144.html

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@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@NotTVJessJones

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/SlUrvRS4BSc

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Episode 409: Tariff Turmoil: Trump’s Trade War and Its Global Fallout Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

Episode 409: Tariff Turmoil: Trump’s Trade War and Its Global Fallout

Today, 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

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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.

Episode 408: Russia’s War, Putin’s Problem Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

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-revolt

https://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/cvg84r5g8d0o

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@marthamillerdc

@WMattHayden

@AndrewBorene

@BishopGarrison

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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.

Episode 407: Just Push Pause: Trump’s Halt on Federal Programs Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

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

@AlgeneSajery

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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.

Episode 406: Trade Threats and Triumphs: Trump’s Colombia Deal Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

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

@WMattHayden

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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.

Episode 405: Full Steam Ahead: Trump’s Bold Moves on Clearances and Protection Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

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.html

https://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

@Washingtonflack

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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.

Episode 404: TikTok Tug-of-War: Divestment, Security, and Trump’s China Play Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

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

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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.

Episode 403: Hostages, Politics, and Peace: Gaza's Fragile Ceasefire Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

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

@AlgeneSajery

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