Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 270: Biden Gives Africa's Dictators the Boot Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil and Morgan discuss the Biden Administration giving Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic the boot from a special US-Africa trade program - the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - due to Niger and Gabon’s dictatorial takeovers and CAR and Uganda’s violations of human rights. AGOA is set to expire in 2025, and the geopolitical landscape both across Africa and in the U.S. is much different than when AGOA first passed in 2000.

What does the future of AGOA and U.S.-Africa trade look like? What's our assessment of how President Biden and Congress is doing when it comes to Africa policies and programs? How can the Biden Administration reimagine U.S.-Africa relations?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-67236251

https://www.csis.org/analysis/beyond-2025-future-african-growth-and-opportunity-act

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/us/politics/niger-coup-biden-declaration.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/10/26/pepfar-funding-delays-hiv-abortion/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@notTVJessJones

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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

Episode 269: Can Anyone Here Play This Game? Biden Stumbling into China Fail Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Morgan and Martha discuss the Biden Admin’s approach to China all the while the world is seemingly ablaze. China has been behaving recklessly in the South China Sea, fentanyl is pouring out of China into the US, and pending on all of this is the meeting between President Biden and President Xi at the APEC Summit in San Francisco.

How should President Biden approach this meeting with Xi? How should the Biden Administration handle the US-China relationship beyond this meeting? How does Gov. Newsom’s unfortunate effort in Beijing set the table for Biden?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.reuters.com/world/chinas-foreign-minister-says-road-san-francisco-summit-will-not-be-smooth-2023-10-29/

https://apnews.com/article/china-usa-biden-wangyi-blinken-8e8928737f20ea092d226d5da08142f2

https://www.wsj.com/world/china/u-s-worries-about-escalation-in-pacific-as-chinese-military-steps-up-confrontation-5fc06662

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

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Episode 268: Naming and Shaming our Nearest and Dearest Oct 27, 2023

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Episode 268: Naming and Shaming our Nearest and Dearest

Today, Morgan, Martha, Jamil and Andy discuss the challenges that NATO member Turkey and Major non-NATO ally Qatar present as they play both sides between the West and our adversaries and enemies in the context of the Israel-Hamas war. What was seemingly a unifying moment for the West, Turkey and Qatar said all the wrong things about the 10/7 terrorist attack on Israel.

Should the United States hold Turkey and Qatar accountable for supporting our adversaries and enemies? How does Turkey’s position in NATO influence potential members joining the alliance in the future? When is the right time for the United States to tell Turkey and Qatar that they cannot keep playing both sides?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-says-hamas-is-not-terrorist-organisation-2023-10-25/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/qatar-agrees-to-review-hamas-ties-after-gaza-hostage-situation-resolved-report/amp/

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231019-hamas-qatar-office-in-spotlight-as-gaza-war-intensifies

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/10/25/turkeys-erdogan-scraps-israel-trip-over-inhumane-gaza-war

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@andykeiser

@marthamillerdc

@morganlroach

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

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

Episode 267: Five Eyes: Are They Actually Watching...? Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Episode 267: Five Eyes: Are They Actually Watching…?

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil and Morgan discuss the recent broadcast of an unprecedented public gathering of the intelligence chiefs from the Five Eyes countries - the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The conversation focused on China’s aggressive intelligence gathering efforts and its theft of IP property, alongside other threats, occurring in the U.S. and the other Five Eyes countries.

How concerned should Americans be about Chinese intelligence gathering? Are the Five Eyes taking the right measures to deter China? What more can the Biden Administration do to counter such aggressive intelligence gathering?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/more-from-five-eyes-intelligence-chiefs-warning-to-60-minutes/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/24/ahead-top-chinese-diplomats-us-visit-five-eyes-officials-call-attention-chinese-hacking/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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

Episode 266: Pakistan’s Prodigal Prime Minister Returns Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the former 3-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif’s return from his self-imposed exile, and lo’ and behold, even though he's banned from holding public office, his lawyers are confident he can be elected as the country's next Prime Minister. This comes as Pakistan is in its worst economic crisis ever, the previous Prime Minister is also facing corruption charges, a “caretaker” Prime Minister is making deals with China, and Sharif’s party is losing popularity all the while dealing with its own Taliban insurgency.

Is the Pakistan military giving Sharif the green light to run for Prime Minister? Who is really calling the shots in the Pakistan government? How might the chaotic hold-up in Congress benefit Pakistan?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-ready-boost-pakistan-ties-urges-security-guarantee-xi-2023-10-20/

https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/is-nawaz-sharifs-return-a-deal-with-pakistan-military-establishment-649672/amp

https://www.ft.com/content/9811a65a-78cc-4afb-82e4-1032017d2300

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermusnon

Like what we're doing here?

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

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

Episode 264: Fact vs. Fiction in the Israel-Hamas War Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the serious implications from disinformation and misinformation that came after the explosion at the Al-Ahli Hospital in the Gaza. What was originally reported as an Israeli Defense Force airstrike, turned out to actually be a misfired rocket by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. However, the blame had already been cast on Israel and riots and protests against Israel broke out across the globe as a result of the inaccurate reporting.

What are the implications of rampant and rapid disinformation on social media? How can media prevent such inaccurate information from being disseminated? What is President Biden’s role in preventing the mass dissemination of false information?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.reuters.com/world/disinformation-surge-threatens-fuel-israel-hamas-conflict-2023-10-18/

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/10/18/what-is-israels-narrative-on-the-gaza-hospital-explosion

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gaza-hospital-misinformation-israel-hamas_n_65301c34e4b00565b62290cc/amp

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@notTVJessJones

@morganlroach

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

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Episode 263: Biden’s Middle-East Diplomacy Put to the Test Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Episode 263: Biden’s Middle-East Diplomacy Put to the Test

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss President Biden’s visit to Israel. The group also assesses Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s “shuttle-diplomacy,” laying the groundwork for President Biden’s visit, and just how important this visit is for the administration’s Middle-East policy goals.

What will President Biden be able to accomplish with his visit? Will other Middle-Eastern countries be receptive to Biden’s diplomatic efforts? How do we grade Biden’s efforts thus far?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/17/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza/

https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinians

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/3-things-us-must-israel-against-terrorist-hamas

https://www.wsj.com/articles/appeasing-iran-has-failed-biden-israel-hamas-e86e249c

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermusnon

@morganlroach

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

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Episode 262: Israel-Hamas War: What's Next? Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Episode 262: Israel-Hamas War: What’s Next?

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the Israel-Hamas war heating up as the Israeli Defense Forces gear up for a potential ground invasion of Gaza. Estimates of civilian casualties are in the thousands. All the while, Hezbollah threatens Israel from the north, and two U.S. carrier strike groups have been moved to the east-Mediterranean to deter Hezbollah and Iran from widening the conflict.

What happens to Gaza once the Israeli invasion is completed? What does Israel need to do to prevent other actors from inserting themselves into the conflict? What is the US’ role in all of this?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-invasion.html

https://abcnews.go.com/International/exclusive-us-send-2nd-aircraft-carrier-eastern-mediterranean/story?id=103984246

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3551962/senior-defense-official-holds-a-background-briefing-on-us-force-posture-changes/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@notTVJessJones

@lestermusnon

@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 261: Spooky, Suspicious, and… Russian Sabotage? Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

Today, Jessica, Morgan, and Andy discuss the recent suspicious damage to a Finnish gas pipeline and telecommunications cable, both of which run under the Baltic Sea. On Thursday, Finland's intelligence services said that a “state actor” could be responsible for the pipeline damage but didn't speculate on who might be involved.

Is Putin responsible for the possible sabotage of the undersea pipeline and cable? What do we think NATO’s response will be, if any, if it is confirmed Russia was involved? How does this story relate to Turkey and Hungary stalling Sweden’s accession to NATO?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.politico.eu/article/finland-gas-pipeline-damage-state-actor-balticconnector-antti-pelttari/

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/finland-cant-rule-out-state-actor-involvement-pipeline-damage-intelligence-chief-2023-10-12/

https://apnews.com/article/finland-russia-nato-intelligence-ukraine-6605170fd8c06de7ad212d47676f4fa8

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@notTVJessJones

@morganlroach

@AndyKeiser

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 260: Iran's Role in the Israel-Hamas War Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

Today, Morgan, Les, NSI Senior Fellow Andy Keiser, and NSI Fellow Martha Miller discuss the latest on the Israel-Hamas war, as well as Iran's role in the conflict.

How should the U.S. provide assistance to Israel? Should Congress combine aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan? How have Russia and Iran colluded to increase their sphere of influence?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/biden-walks-fine-line-in-israel-conflict-916774e2

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-deaths-killings.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@AndyKeiser

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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