Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 372: Littering on Both Sides of the DMZ Oct 14, 2024

Show notes

Today, Jess, Jeffrey, Martha, and Morgan discuss increasing tensions on the Korean peninsula as North Korea has accused South Korea of flying drones and dropping anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang. North Korea threatened to respond with force and says its front-line army units are ready to launch strikes on South Korea if the drone flights continue.

Are these claims saber-rattling or a true escalation? Why are South Korean leaflets getting Kim Jong Un so mad? Is the timing of Kim’s fiery rhetoric and the upcoming U.S. presidential election a coincidence?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-south-drones-attack-threat-border-d1b2e42665fba63dbf4cf2f36a96f5f5

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/11/asia/north-korea-south-drones-pyongyang/index.html

https://apnews.com/article/north-south-korea-drones-c923535e6f414674593d74ff935adf41

https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-roads-destroy-tensions-drones-072433677101dc38e30bb65f908ec631

https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3282158/kim-jong-uns-sister-warns-south-korea-horrible-disaster

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@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/g0tECKdDrIY

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Episode 371: Chagos Islands - a win for Mauritius … and China? Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

Today, Morgan, Matt, Amy, and Jeffrey discuss the historic handover of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Backed by the White House, the United Kingdom agreed to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands after 13 rounds of negotiations over the former African colony. Importantly, the UK will retain control of the UK-US Diego Garcia military base for an initial period of 99 years. However, critics argue this move is a victory for Chinese interests in the Indo-Pacific.

What are the impacts of this handover on U.S. interests in the region? Will this handover set a precedent in the use of lawfare by our adversaries? How will future administrations handle the soft and hard power changes as a result of this handover?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.politico.eu/article/republicans-us-washington-chagos-islands-deal-china-security/

https://www.newsweek.com/diego-garcia-news-uk-mauritius-chagos-islands-agreement-us-base-indian-ocean-1963650

https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/10/09/uk-chagos-islands-mauritius-diego-garcia-last-colony/

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/10/despite-hold-on-diego-garcia-uks-move-to-return-chago-islands-sparks-security-concerns/

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@morganlroach

@WMattHayden

@amykmitchell

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/pxap170DOdQ

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Episode 370: Not Quite James Bond Oct 09, 2024

Show notes

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Les discuss MI5’s latest threat report, in which the UK’s spy chief outlined that Britain is facing a “staggering rise” in attempts at assassination, sabotage, and other crimes on UK soil by Russia and Iran, as the two states recruit criminals to “do their dirty work,” amid a rise in terrorist threats to the European continent by a resurgent ISIS and Al-Qaeda.

How can the United States and our allies respond to these kinetic and active threats? What have been the failures of successive presidential administrations to address these threats? Is the global war on terror truly over?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://apnews.com/article/uk-intelligence-mi5-threats-russia-iran-936d7c24d303ffea41f6b1cef7c7b814

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-mi5-spy-chief-details-security-threats-facing-uk-2024-10-08/

https://www.reuters.com/world/man-convicted-hostile-reconnaissance-london-based-tv-channel-critical-iran-2023-12-20/

https://apnews.com/article/germany-russia-spying-military-officer-305ee23eb4677f3215c9e3560945a0d9

https://apnews.com/article/sweden-iran-israel-criminal-gangs-proxy-d50a17efab629a585e281854d3e11407

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-berlin-fire-diehl-behind-arson-attack-on-factory/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/Vm_v73sEmek

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Episode 369: Not Quite Deadliest Catch Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Martha, and Morgan discuss last week’s assault by the Chinese Coast Guard assault on 10 Vietnamese fishermen near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Three of the fishermen suffered broken limbs and the rest sustained other injuries, their fishing gear was damaged, and about 4 tons of their catch were sized by the Chinese.

How does this incident impact the United States’ role in the region? What are the economic ramifications of Chinese aggression? Will China change its behavior in the face of growing ties between Indo-Pacific nations in response to its aggressive actions?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://apnews.com/article/china-vietnam-paracel-south-china-sea-d86889dd2fda73499602951ef3056d32

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/02/asia/vietnam-protest-china-attack-fishermen-intl-hnk/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-accuses-china-assaulting-vietnamese-fishermen-south-china-sea-2024-10-04/

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3926061/allies-partners-conduct-operations-in-south-china-sea/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/03/south-china-sea-underwater-cables/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/WT6v-ZEmBqc

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

Episode 368: Japan’s New Prime Minister Dreams of a NATO for Asia Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Les discuss Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, a 67-year-old Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) backbencher, who has grand ideas for Japanese foreign policy including establishing an Asian NATO to deter China, joint management of U.S. bases in Japan, and the United States sharing their nuclear deterrence with Japan.

What does Ishiba and his foreign policy ideas mean for U.S.-Japan relations? Are any of Ishiba’s security ideas achievable? How do U.S. partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific perceive our security assurances?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.hudson.org/politics-government/shigeru-ishiba-japans-new-security-era-future-japans-foreign-policy

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/09/29/japans-prime-minister-ishiba-00181546

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/japans-newly-elected-prime-minister-shigeru-ishiba-forms-cabinet-with-emphasis-on-defense

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/incoming-japan-pm-ishibas-asian-nato-idea-test-us-diplomacy-2024-09-27/

https://apnews.com/article/japan-ishiba-us-south-korea-australia-china-73a66e7b2fce8c3847622acf314357e1

https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/08/how-fumio-kishida-shaped-japans-foreign-policy

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

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

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

Episode 367: Iran Strikes - What Happens Next? Oct 02, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Morgan, Jeffrey, and Bishop discuss Tuesday’s missile strikes by Iran against Israel where at least 180 missiles were fired into Israel in what is said to be a retaliation for a series of devastating blows Israel has landed in recent weeks against Hezbollah and other Iranian proxy forces in the Middle East.

What happens next? What is the Biden administration’s policy in this conflict? Is Iran an effective actor?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-10-01/israel-s-devastation-of-hezbollah-puts-iran-in-a-corner

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4909053-iran-preparing-missile-attack/

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cg4qx62kkxxt?post=asset%3A4edfbeb0-ff7e-4b9c-a412-4f16fb69d23d#post

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3923320/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-irans-missile-strikes-a/

https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-02-2024-7d93f71b7894177b4f9c303671ee55de

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@BishopGarrison

@morganlroach

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

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

Episode 366: After Nasrallah, What’s Next? Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Today, Martha, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, which killed Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, leaving behind a weakened leadership structure dismantled by successive Israeli attacks. Hezbollah’s acting leader, Naim Kassem, has vowed to continue fighting Israel, asserting that these strikes have not diminished their military capabilities.

What impact have these strikes had on Hezbollah’s ability to operate effectively? Has Iranian influence waned as a result? How might the upcoming U.S. election affect its influence on key actors in the region?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-beirut-nasrallah-israel-airstrike-dahiyeh-7ebf675d75e4d49c7b307864cdbc7dc1

https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-09-30-2024-83ea5f243688f309754ec74850de4238

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-misjudged-israels-weakness-and-irans-might-b169e552?mod=world_lead_pos2

https://newlinesmag.com/argument/end-of-an-era-what-hassan-nasrallahs-assassination-spells-for-the-middle-east/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/29/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-hamas-war-news-gaza/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

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

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

Episode 365: UNGA - What is it Good For? Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

Today, Morgan, Martha, Les, and Jeffrey discuss the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and High Level Week, where world leaders come together to debate global challenges.

As intractable conflict persists, including Russia’s war on Ukraine to the conflict in the Middle East is the UN equipped to handle today's issues? With despots committing atrocities with impunity, is the UN morally hollow? How can the United States improve the UN to help tackle the larger security issues we face today?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.reuters.com/world/what-is-unga-what-will-world-leaders-talk-about-2024-09-11/

https://www.un.org/en/high-level-week-2024

https://apnews.com/article/un-guterres-summit-future-global-challenges-climate-a7aff1ff5176aafa3cc562021bbf5004

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/24/us/politics/biden-unga-speech.html

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/netanyahu-address-israel-bogged-war-barrels-114067999

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

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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/A7L7JCrqYiU

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

Episode 364: Lebanon: Biden Doctrine Revealed? Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Matt, and John discuss recent Israeli military strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon following up on their recent operation that included exploding pagers, radios, and some solar panels. These strikes aim to ensure the safety and return of over 60,000 Israelis to their homes in northern Israel which were forced to evacuate due to Hezbollah rocket attacks - but others speculate this might lead to a wider conflict.

Does the United States have a strategy to respond to Iranian provocations? Are there differing visions between the U.S. and Israel in the conflict's aims? Will Iran intervene and expand the conflict into a regional war? What does this pivot mean for the hostages in Gaza?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/the-vast-hezbollah-arsenal-awaiting-israel-in-lebanon-99ce396c

https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-lebanonrefugees-displaced-9d4d53e808ce5f67e234789f65d1ad71

https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-09-24-2024-640a0046aceea1b5cfb395a54ff36bce

https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-violence-war-hezbollah-63a15fa390a94acf46ef886cc5fb88db

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/24/israel-lebanon-war-border-hezbollah/

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/24/world/gaza-israel-hamas-hezbollah

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@WMattHayden

@JohnCLipsey

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/2vM-BA60Osk

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

Episode 363: Ayatollah's Algorithm for U.S. Elections Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

Episode 363: Ayatollah's Algorithm for U.S. Elections

Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Morgan discuss Iranian efforts to influence the upcoming presidential election, including Iran’s hack of the Trump campaign and its attempts to share these documents with individuals tied to the Biden campaign. The Biden Administration has moved aggressively in recent weeks to call out this and other operations in hopes of alerting Americans to foreign efforts to influence their views amidst a presidential election.

What is Iran’s level of sophistication when it comes to cyber-attacks? With the deepening ties between Russia and Iran, has Russia shared its best practices on election interference with Iran? Is the U.S. government’s transparency regarding election-related attacks beneficial?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/18/fbi-says-iran-sent-hacked-trump-info-to-biden-campaign-00179951

https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-hacking-trump-election-interference-2020-3631e1832a8edb549d53126585503f32

https://www.npr.org/2024/08/23/g-s1-19350/meta-iran-hacking-election-trump-harris-biden

https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-harris-election-russia-hack-ad5886379e67710e79d83938e52360cc

https://apnews.com/article/iran-russia-china-election-disinformation-hacking-ee65e29b866852b146e75c9f3312a1ae

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach