Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 302: Hard Truths from Poland Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the recent comments made by Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski over the weekend on the held-up supplemental aid to Ukraine and the ramifications that failing to act may have on the United States’ other allies.

Is the United States an unreliable ally? Are U.S. allies right to start hedging? Should U.S. leadership be doing more to sell Ukraine assistance to the American public? Should Congress be skeptical of giving Ukraine more aid when much of Europe isn't living up to its 2 percent NATO pledge? 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/news/articles/2024-02-23/poland-s-sikorski-warns-us-to-aid-ukraine-or-face-profound-consequences

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/polands-foreign-minister-discusses-the-war-in-ukraine

https://thehill.com/policy/international/4488444-polish-fm-to-speaker-johnson-on-ukraine-the-credibility-of-your-country-is-at-stake/

https://news.sky.com/video/polish-foreign-minister-corrects-the-record-for-russia-in-un-security-council-meeting-13080530

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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

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Episode 301: Ukraine’s Ongoing Struggle: Reflections on Two Years of Conflict Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the upcoming two-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and what the future could hold for the Ukrainian country after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plea for continued U.S. assistance in the war effort during an interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier.

What is the future for Ukraine in these uncertain times? What should the U.S. strategy be towards Ukraine? How can the U.S. and European allies define a Ukrainian victory? What should the Biden administration being doing to bolster support for Ukraine among Congress and the American public?

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.arabnews.com/node/2465106/world

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/02/22/ukraine-war-pentagon-lessons-learned/

https://www.foxnews.com/media/ukrainian-president-zelenskyy-sits-down-fox-anchor-bret-baier-war-nears-two-year-mark

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!

We are also on YouTube, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/1vRePAW7qOk

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

Episode 300: The End of the Line for Julian Assange? Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

Happy 300!!

Today, Jess, Morgan, Jamil, and Les discuss Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, who is before Britain’s High Court attempting to block his extradition to the United States, where he faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse over the solicitation and publication of a huge trove of classified U.S. documents nearly 15 years ago.

How damaging was the Wikileaks to U.S. national security? Should Julian Assange be extradited to the United States to stand trial? How should we address the prevalent issue of U.S. intelligence leaks? 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.cnn.com/2024/02/20/uk/julian-assange-extradition-appeal-ruling-review-intl-gbr/index.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/world/europe/assange-us-extradition-uk-court-case.html

https://apnews.com/article/julian-assange-wikileaks-extradition-court-hearing-25a5f66df1e8d94d0db1e9d6bb323ea4

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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Episode 299: Subs, Planes, and Proxies: Iran on the Move Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Today, Jess, Morgan, Jamil, and Les discuss recent developments out of the Middle East including Saturday’s first-ever U.S. self-defense strike against a Houthi underwater drone in the Red Sea, the attempted comms takeover of an El Al flight over the Horn of Africa by unknown actors, and an alleged backing-off of proxy attacks by the Iranian government in parts of the region.

Are the Biden Administration’s efforts at deterrence working? Will the IRGC's ostensible tamp down on proxy attacks be sustained? Do underwater drones indicate an increased level of sophistication from the Houthis? 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/2024/02/19/us-houthi-strike-underwater-drone-red-sea

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-military-strikes-houthi-unmanned-underwater-vessel-red-sea/

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-787572

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/18/iran-proxies-middle-east/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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Episode 298: Will Russian Nukes in Space get Congress to Act? Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

Today, Jess, Morgan, Jamil, and Les discuss recent developments out of Russia including Friday morning’s announcement that imprisoned Russian opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, has died in custody, and Chairman Mike Turner of the House Intelligence Committee vaguely warning of a serious national security threat, which has now been confirmed by the White House as Russia pursuing a nuclear armed anti-satellite system.

Will the threat of nuclear weapons in space and the potential murder of a Russian opposition leader get Congress to act? Was Chairman Turner’s announcement intentional to sway his colleagues ahead of the vote on the Senate Ukraine aid bill? 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/russia-anti-satellite-weapon-threat-technology-2880f9c55122dcafe87188bc92dd6cde

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/14/house-intel-national-security-threat-russia-space-power-00141473

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/14/us/politics/intelligence-russia-nuclear.html

https://warontherocks.com/2022/09/getting-serious-about-the-threat-of-high-altitude-nuclear-detonations/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68315943

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/jailed-russian-opposition-leader-navalny-dead-prison-service-2024-02-16/

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.

Episode 297: Pakistan Elections - A Coalition of the Minorities Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

Today, Jamil, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss last Thursday’s general election in Pakistan. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan won 93 of the 134 simple majority seats required to form a government. This led to rival parties, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PLM-N) party to form a coalition, returning former prime minister Shewaz Sharif to office.

What does this election mean for U.S. interests? How has the U.S. relationship with Pakistan changed following the withdrawal from Afghanistan? What role does China play in Pakistan? 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.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/13/pakistan-election-pti-joins-religious-parties-ppp-backs-rival-pmln

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68271462

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-13/sharif-s-party-to-pick-pakistan-pm-as-bhutto-supports-alliance

https://www.cfr.org/blog/imran-khan-denied-perhaps-not-forever-pakistans-other-parties-form-weak-coalition-government

https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/02/12/pakistans-voters-tell-the-generals-where-to-put-it

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

Like what we're doing here?

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

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Episode 296: Last Week’s Backpfeifengesicht Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

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-68266447

https://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

@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 295: Ukraine and the Future of Warfare Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

*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-advantage

https://www.wired.com/story/robots-are-fighting-robots-in-russias-war-in-ukraine/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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Episode 294: Zut Alors! What is up in West Africa? Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

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-crisis

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240202-with-ecowas-exit-mali-burkina-faso-and-niger-leave-democratic-transition-in-limbo

https://www.theafricareport.com/336073/moussa-mara-leaving-ecowas-is-going-against-the-march-of-history/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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Episode 293: The U.S. Strikes Back, Kinda Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

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-68189567

https://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_permalink

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/03/politics/strikes-us-uk-houthi-yemen?

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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