Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 312: Local Elections - Geopolitical Impact Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

Today, Jess, John, Bishop, and Morgan discuss Turkey’s upcoming local elections on March 31st, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) seek to regain the key cities lost in 2019 of Istanbul and Ankara. If the AKP regains control, President Erdogan has pledged further constitutional reform.

How will these local elections impact Turkish foreign policy? What is the Biden Administration’s role in working with transactional powers such as Turkey? What are the impacts of conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza on these local elections?

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

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

https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/03/13/turkey-erdogan-elections-istanbul-ankara-local-akp/

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/will-us-turkey-relations-survive-wars-gaza-and-ukraine-210040

https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-says-turkey-firmly-backs-terror-group-hamas-compares-netanyahu-to-hitler/

https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-president-erdogan-upcoming-local-election-last/

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@BishopGarrison

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

@JohnCLipsey

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We are also on YouTube, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/1bnn5y9P9Ig

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Episode 311: Is Niger Giving America the Boot? Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, John, and Morgan discuss this weekend’s announcement by Niger’s junta that it was suspending military cooperation with Washington and ordering U.S. troops to leave the country. This comes upon the heels of a coup last summer in Niger, the resulting restrictions on U.S. aid to the country, and recent stories that U.S. and Western intelligence show that Niger is exploring a deal to allow Iran access to its uranium reserves.

What did last week’s visit to Niger by U.S. officials seek to accomplish? How can the United States refresh its approach to foreign policy with African states? Do the events in Niger indicate a diminishing influence of the United States 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://www.wsj.com/world/africa/niger-once-key-u-s-counterterrorism-ally-ends-military-ties-7db66dbe

https://apnews.com/article/niger-junta-us-military-base-b70bfba835a567d5f3439a32c9c82836

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/world/africa/niger-orders-american-troops-out.html

https://www.voanews.com/a/niger-says-announces-end-to-military-cooperation-with-us/7530719.html

https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-says-it-is-willing-to-help-niger-overcome-sanctions/7455787.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-ecowas-bloc-mulls-new-strategy-towards-junta-states-2024-02-24/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

@JohnCLipsey

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We are also on YouTube, watch today's episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVN5gzkIKiw

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

Episode 310: Appeasement at Home and Abroad? Mar 15, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss this week’s Financial Times report that broke the news that the Biden Administration held secret talks with Iran this year to convince Tehran to use its influence to end Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. They also discuss Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s calls for Israel to hold new elections.

Were Senator Schumer’s comments driven by the upcoming election? Can the United States truly have productive negotiations with Iran? Is the United States undermining a democratically elected government in Israel?

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/schumer-netanyahu-israel-palestinians-elections-1ebf21e4c9c0f6f42478bb26e1db7a9b

https://www.ft.com/content/89b01990-7657-45ea-baaa-1f214b40f1cb

https://www.nbc4i.com/news/washington-dc/schumer-calls-for-new-elections-in-israel-criticizes-netanyahu/

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/03/14/u-s-grants-iran-sanctions-waiver-worth-10-billion

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

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We are also on YouTube, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/UNPYQE2Hg0g

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

Episode 309: President Duda in Washington Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Polish President Andrzej Duda’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders to lobby for U.S. support for Ukraine. President Duda also sent a message to his NATO allies by suggesting that NATO members should raise defense spending to 3% of GDP, above the 2% requirement that only a third of the alliance meet.

Will President Duda’s pressure campaign sway the minds of U.S. policymakers on Ukraine aid? Will Duda’s aspirations for a more robust NATO defense posture actually deter Russian aggression? Has the West lost momentum when it comes to Ukraine aid?

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/poland-us-ukraine-biden-white-house-66b04d8c3917be6fe5b9ea5e016f7f5b

https://apnews.com/article/poland-nato-defense-duda-tusk-us-visit-f6d25e41709e9757f7d40ce33add74de

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-11/poland-s-president-will-ask-biden-to-send-more-us-troops-to-protect-europe

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/12/us/politics/biden-poland-nato-duda-tusk.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/top-polish-leaders-visit-white-house-hoping-spur-108035014

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/11/europe/orban-trump-ukraine-intl/index.html

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-ukraine-dont-listen-to-mainstream-media-predictions-on-second-term-0a7589cd

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

Like what we're doing here?

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

We are also on YouTube, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/lnx3TgXMtps

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

Episode 308: Haiti on the Brink Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the deteriorating situation in Haiti where criminal gangs have burned police stations, closed the main international airports, and raided the country’s two biggest prisons releasing thousands of prisoners, while acting Prime Minister and President of Haiti, Ariel Henry, remains in Puerto Rico after being unable to return to Haiti after recent trip to Kenya to build support for a peacekeeping mission.

Should the United States intervene directly in Haiti to restore order? Who will eventually come to power in Haiti? How will the situation in Haiti impact U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere?

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

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

https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/the-ex-convict-aiming-to-take-power-in-haiti-f97e36e2

https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/chaos-in-haiti-leaves-u-s-with-few-options-1a73b744

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/09/haiti-corpses-gangs/

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/blinken-talks-kenyan-president-about-haiti-crisis-says-state-dept-2024-03-09/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/10/haiti-crisis-gangs-attack-police-stations-as-caribbean-leaders-call-for-emergency-meeting

https://apnews.com/article/blinken-haiti-jamaica-prime-minister-gangs-ff6b76b6ba9a9d7b8f95fbf95a1d462c

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/zCICTzne2_s

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

Episode 307: Fault Lines on the State of the Union Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss President Biden’s State of the Union address, where contrary to some expectations, President Biden delivered a fiery speech beginning with references to FDR’s 1941 State of the Union speech given as war raged across Europe, and then touching upon the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war.

What were the Fault Lines team’s reactions to the State of the Union speech? Did President Biden beat the team’s expectations? Did the President’s speech change the minds of Congress or American voters on aid to Ukraine?

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

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

https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-biden-gaza-ukraine-israel-1a42ff9d4ef3e0f2753e43ac8d39fc18

https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/biden-state-of-the-union-address-2024/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/state-union-key-takeaways-biden-address-rcna140768

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/03/07/remarks-of-president-joe-biden-state-of-the-union-address-as-prepared-for-delivery-2/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/6F4-nyC6a6o

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

Episode 306: Benny in the Dog House Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Israeli War Cabinet member and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz's visit to Washington, DC. Gantz met with Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza.

What does this trip mean for the unity of the Israeli War Cabinet? Does Gantz's meeting with Vice President Harris indicate a shift in the Biden administration's handling of the war in Gaza? How do the domestic political situations of the United States and Israel impact the conflict?

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.axios.com/2024/03/05/israel-gaza-aid-benny-gantz-white-house

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2902527/benny-gantz-confronts-reports-hes-in-us-against-benjamin-netanyahus-wishes/#google_vignette

https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-790212

https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-aides-to-gantz-gaza-aid-convoy-disaster-shows-need-for-viable-post-war-plans/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/IWyeASqPySw

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

Episode 305: Guyana and Cuba - a Diplomatic Dance? Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Morgan, and Jamil discuss Guyana’s recent diplomatic overtures towards Cuba amidst the ongoing Crisis between Guyana and Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region.

These overtures include the Guyanese President Irfaan Ali calling for the dismantling of sanctions against Cuba, to the University systems of both countries agreeing to collaborate, among many others.

Are these diplomatic overtures a play to counter Venezuela with their ally Cuba, or is this an attempt by Guyana to cozy up to Venezuela? Is the threat of Venezuela invading Guyana real, or just domestic messaging? Should the Biden Administration be playing a more active role 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://newsroom.gy/2024/03/01/president-ali-calls-for-dismantling-of-u-s-embargo-against-cuba/

https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/articulo/guyanas-media-publishes-support-international-community-cuba-un

https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/articulo/universities-guyana-and-cuba-agree-cooperate

https://havanatimes.org/features/cubas-curious-silence-on-the-essequibo-conflict/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/world/americas/venezuela-guyana.html

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!

We are also on YouTube, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/1JeH1XK60zM

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

Episode 304: Protecting Americans - From Chinese EV’s? Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Morgan, and Bishop discuss the recent announcement by the Biden Administration that the Department of Commerce will begin an inquiry into the national security risks posed by connected vehicles from or containing technology from countries of concern, including the People’s Republic of China.

Is industrial policy under the guise of National Security the right approach to address this issue? Should the United States be concerned about China’s position as the largest producer of Electric Vehicles? Is this inquiry a way to implement protectionist policies against foreign automakers? 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-electric-vehicles-privacy-personal-data-biden-844f2406512b94212ee1a92a61e5a33a

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/29/us-investigation-chinese-vehicles/

https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2024/02/citing-national-security-concerns-biden-harris-administration-announces

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/29/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-takes-action-to-address-risks-of-autos-from-china-and-other-countries-of-concern/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@BishopGarrison

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

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

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

Episode 303: The Talk of Europe - Troops and Nukes? Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the recent debates shaking up the European continent from French President Emmanuel Macron raising the possibility of Western troop deployment to Ukraine to German officials questioning the need of whether to acquire their own nuclear weapons.

Should the United States be concerned by President Macron’s comments? Would a deployment of Western troops to Ukraine be a redline for Russia? Can Europe act effectively without U.S. leadership? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines!

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

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68417223

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/macrons-ukraine-troop-talk-shakes-up-nato-allies-2024-02-27/

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/germans-debatethe-once-unthinkable-do-we-need-nuclear-weapons-13fa7e68?mod=hp_lead_pos11

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/world/europe/cia-ukraine-intelligence-russia-war.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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