Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 239: Breaking Barriers: Exploring the Basics and The Benefits of AI Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

Today, to kick off our special summer series, Breaking Barriers: Understanding the AI Revolution, Jamil is joined by Dr. Stephen Wolfram, founder of Mathematica and Wolfram Research, creator of the Wolfram Language, author of, What is Chat GPT Doing… and Why Does it Work?, and all-around AI expert to dissect the complexities of artificial intelligence. Dr. Wolfram explains the origins of AI, how computational systems operate, and the ways that large language models are able to generate lively essays.

Are computers able to learn? How does AI generate human-like essays? What is the difference between computational systems and the human brain?

Tune into Fault Lines all summer to hear from more AI experts as part of, Breaking Barriers: Understanding the AI Revolution!

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out Dr. Stephen Wolfram’s website: https://www.stephenwolfram.com/

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@stephen_wolfram

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Episode 238: Beijing’s Exploits South of the River Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Today, Morgan, Jamil, and Les discuss China’s growing influence in Latin America after Guatemalan Presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo advocated for expanding relations with China. This statement, combined with Brazil considering substituting the dollar for the yen and Honduras revoking its recognition of Taiwan, shows that states in the global south are trending away from the US

What should the US do to counter China’s growing influence? Following the Chinese spy base in Cuba, does the Biden Administration need to enforce red lines in the region? Has the U.S. devoted enough military and economic resources to Latin America? How can the U.S. be a better neighbor?

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

Watch our experts debate on YouTube here!: https://youtu.be/eGpee0fLkK0

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

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/surprise-guatemalan-presidential-contender-pitches-closer-china-ties-2023-06-27/

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/economic-displacement-chinas-growing-influence-latin-america

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@morganlroach

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Episode 237: All Wagner, All the Time Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Episode 237: All Wagner, All the Time

Today, Morgan, Jamil, and Les discuss the future of the Wagner group in Africa after Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, attempted a coup in Russia over the weekend. Libya, Sudan, Mali, and the Central African Republic, all rely on Wagner forces to fight back insurgents. With few alternatives to protect governments in these countries, an absence of the Wagner group would be destabilizing.

What is the future of the Wagner group? Will the Wagner Group go on hiatus? How dependent are African leaders on Wagner forces? Should the US take this opportunity to provide security and defense to African governments?

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

Watch our experts debate on Youtube here!: https://youtu.be/Y9tmAhb5Org

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

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-asks-whats-next-russias-wagner-middle-east-africa-2023-06-27/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66023041

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@morganlroach

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Episode 236: Russia, Russia, Russia! Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the Wagner Group’s uprising in Russia over the weekend. Wagner group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, ordered the mercenary troops to march towards Moscow on Saturday before Belarusian leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko stepped in to negotiate a diplomatic end to the mutiny.

Who could succeed Putin if he were to fall from power? How should Ukraine leverage this moment of weakness in Russia to enhance their counteroffensive? And has Chinese President, Xi Jinping, refrained from sending weapons to Russia because he lacks confidence in Russia?

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

You can now watch our experts debate on YouTube here!: https://youtu.be/CQRRxap3Hk4

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

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/25/1184237150/russia-wagner-putin-whats-next-explained-prigozhin

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-wagner-prigozhin-belarus-deal-6782455ddc4234816bfb2d7d388d8a9a

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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Episode 235: Modi Comes to Dinner Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Today, Jamil, Jess, and Morgan discuss Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit and Thursday night’s state dinner at the White House. President Biden and PM Modi reached several strategic cooperation and defense agreements during PM Modi’s visit. Both India and the U.S. share China as a pressing security threat, so a strong partnership in the region could be indispensable to both moving forward.

What does the Fault Lines crew think of this budding relationship? Is it the “partnership of the century,” as stated by Modi? Given India’s partnerships with Russia and as leader of the nonaligned movement, can the U.S. count on India to be a good ally?

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

You can also watch our experts debate these issues on YouTube! Click below:

https://youtu.be/I7aylgORkyA

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

https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-modi-strengthen-ties-with-defense-trade-agreements-2023-06-22/

https://apnews.com/article/biden-modi-india-state-visit-human-rights-5e4bc32e679ad6bae7225a28f7f6334d

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@morganlroach

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Episode 234: Tony’s China Conundrum Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

Today, Jess, Jamil, Les, and our now official co-host Morgan Viña discuss Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s long-awaited meeting with President Xi in China. Secretary Blinken’s visit comes at a time when the U.S.-China relationship has been strained due to China’s support of Russia, the deployment of spy balloons, and repeated provocations in the South China Sea.

What score does the Fault Lines crew give Secretary Blinken on his China visit? Was Blinken’s visit timely? How, and will, the Biden Administration address tensions with President Xi?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 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/news/key-takeaways-antony-blinken-china-xi-jinping/

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/18/china/blinken-china-visit-wang-yi-meeting-intl-hnk/index.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@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 233: China & the Palestinian Authority: An Alliance of Convenience, Necessity, or Boredom? Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan, discuss China’s strategic cooperation agreement with the Palestinian Authority. China has forged a number of strategic relationships in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, and now, the Palestinian Authority. In light of China’s strategic efforts in the this region, some worry, the U.S. is too focused on China, leaving behind its leadership role in the other parts of the globe.

Should the U.S. be alarmed by this strategic cooperation agreement? Is China doing this as a reaction to the U.S.-Israeli relationship? Is the U.S. capable of walking and chewing gum in its foreign policy, in other words, can the U.S. be a leader in both Asia and the Middle East?

Tune in to find out what our experts think!

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 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/china-palestinian-authority-establish-strategic-partnership-chinas-xi-2023-06-14/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/china-signs-strategic-partnership-with-palestinian-authority-during-abbas-visit/amp/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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Episode 232: UNESC...nO: Does the U.S. Need a Seat at the Table? Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan, debate the Biden Administration’s decision to rejoin UNESCO. There have been concerns for a decade over mismanagement. This prompted the U.S. to leave under the Trump Administration. The Biden Administration recently announced that the U.S. will return to UNESCO as well as pay $600 million in back dues.

Is the $600 million of taxpayer dollars in back dues worth the benefits we receive from the organization? Is membership to UNESCO like a participation trophy and should everyone get one? Does China’s expanding influence in UNESCO warrant this action? Tune in to find out what our experts think!

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 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.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/12/china-concerns-prompt-us-move-to-rejoin-unesco

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3978238-to-compete-with-china-the-us-must-embrace-multilateral-diplomacy/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@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 231: We Will Always Have Havana Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

Today, for a Fault Lines first, there are four incredible hosts! Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the Biden Administration’s handling of the Chinese spy base in Cuba. While the Administration initially denied the reports from the Wall Street Journal it has now come full circle to acknowledge the existence of Chinese spy bases around the world.

What letter grade should the Biden Administration received in its handling of this situation? What message does this flip flopping send domestically and internationally? Should Secretary of State Antony Blinken proceed with his trip to China? Bonus question, which Fault Lines host is celebrating their birthday, today? Tune in to find out!

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 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://nypost.com/2023/06/11/biden-admin-confirms-china-has-had-a-spy-base-in-cuba-since-at-least-2019/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/us/politics/china-spy-base-cuba.html?searchResultPosition=1

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@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 230: LIV, Laugh, Love Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Today, Jess, Les, and special guest host and NSI Senior Fellow, Morgan Vina, discuss the shocking merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which is backed by a Saudi wealth fund. The PGA tour has recently faced backlash, including a possible DOJ antitrust investigation, following this deal. Some argue this merger is a key step in Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2023 plan to create a “vibrant society.”

What does the Fault Lines crew think of this merger? Is it sportswashing or part of Saudi’s Vision 2030? Why is the U.S. turning towards Saudi and rebuilding relations? And most importantly, is golf a real sport?

Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 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/sports/golf/liv-golf-pga-tour-saudi-arabia-merger-a383b00?mod=hp_lead_pos9

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/08/09/liv-tour-saudi-golf-china-soft-power-battle-for-soul-of-golf/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@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.

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