Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 219: South Africa Gets in Warm Water May 12, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss yesterday’s announcement from the US Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, that the South African government had provided arms and ammunition to Russia in its over a year-long war against Ukraine.

Should the White House be making this announcement instead of the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa? Why is the South African government supporting Russia? Should the U.S. government impose sanctions on South Africa?

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://apnews.com/article/russia-weapons-arms-south-africa-e89bac38997f240655ddf5d892e44f85

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-65563027

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@jamil_n_jaffer

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

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

Episode 218: The Biden Doctrine: Let’s Go Backwards Pt. 2 May 10, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil, in a Fault Lines-first, resume their debate from Monday about the Biden Doctrine that stemmed from a Fareed Zakaria’s Washington Post op-ed, which laid out concerns about NSA Jake Sullivan's ongoing statements that claim, in order to remain competitive with China and protect US national security and economic interests, the US Government needs to take a more active role in promoting and growing a handful of critical industries here in the US.

What are some concerns the Fault Lines crew has with Sullivan’s position? How can the US government ensure the strength of the US domestic chip supply?

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.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/04/27/remarks-by-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-on-renewing-american-economic-leadership-at-the-brookings-institution/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/05/biden-doctrine-sullivan-protectionism-economy/?itid=sr_1

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

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 217: The Biden Doctrine: Let’s Go Backwards May 08, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss an op-ed by Fareed Zakaria that appeared in the Washington Post this weekend. Zakaria dives into his concerns centered on the "Biden Doctrine," and the use of industrial policy to further U.S. government goals.

What does the Fault Lines crew think of the doctrine? Is America trying to emulate China’s economic model and if so, why? How can America both continue to innovate while making sure national security needs are being met?

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.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/04/27/remarks-by-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-on-renewing-american-economic-leadership-at-the-brookings-institution/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/05/biden-doctrine-sullivan-protectionism-economy/?itid=sr_1

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

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 216: The Kremlin’s Dodged Drones May 05, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and special guest host and NSI Senior Fellow Morgan Viña discuss the alleged intercepted drone attacks that occurred over the Kremlin. Russia accused Ukraine of trying to assassinate President Putin, though Putin was not in the Kremlin at the time of the explosions, and Kyiv has denied any involvement. Yesterday, Russia blamed the U.S. for the attack on the Kremlin and said that Washington has “direct involvement” in the war in Ukraine.

What does the Fault Lines crew think of the explosions? Is Russia wise to publicize the attack? Do the attacks on the Kremlin help or hurt Russian morale?

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.nytimes.com/2023/05/03/world/europe/russia-kremlin-drone-explosions.html

https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-accuses-u-s-of-helping-kyiv-to-plan-kremlin-attack-ef2e2b05

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

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 215: Haiti Somehow Gets Worse May 03, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jamil, and special guest host and NSI Senior Fellow Morgan Viña discuss how a dozen gang members were lynched by ordinary Haitians who were fed up with the gangland violence that has engulfed their country. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for an international peacekeeping force, saying that the violence is comparable to countries in armed conflict.

Why is President Biden ignoring Haiti? Who should take the lead in forming an international peacekeeping force? Will the crisis in Haiti be exploited by a global adversary?

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/americas/haitian-residents-lynch-set-fire-suspected-gang-members-2023-04-24/

https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/25/americas/haiti-gang-suspects-attacked-intl-latam/index.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

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 214: Sudan Crisis: Americans Remain At Risk May 01, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jamil, and special guest host and NSI Senior Fellow Morgan Viña discuss how ten-thousand Americans citizens and green card holders—many of them dual-U.S. and Sudanese nationals—are currently stuck in the middle of Sudan’s growing civil war with limited routes for escape.

What should the U.S. government be doing now about Americans still stranded in Sudan? Why have the Europeans and international orgs, like the U.N., been more effective than the U.S. at getting their people out? How will this growing civil war play 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://apnews.com/article/sudan-americans-biden-white-house-evacuation-993ef30bf43320023dc7d8d5ee202bcf

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/armed-us-drones-escort-evacuation-american-citizens-war-torn-sudan-rcna82130

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

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 213: Is Nuclear Diplomacy as Easy as American Pie? 🥧 Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss this week’s meeting between President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, during which President Biden promised to include South Korea more substantially in strategic planning in the event of a nuclear conflict with North Korea.

What are the consequences of abandoning the notion of a “denuclearized” Korean peninsula? How much of this announcement was about China? How will the regime in Pyongyang respond?

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.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/us/politics/biden-korea-nuclear-weapons.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/26/biden-south-korea-president-nuclear-deterrence/11705727002/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

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 212: Hanging Chad Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss reports stemming from recent intelligence leaks which point to the threats Chad, an important security partner to the U.S., is facing. Documents describe efforts by Russia’s Wagner Group to recruit rebels from Chad and establish a training site for fighters in the neighboring Central African Republic as part of an evolving plot to topple the Chadian government.

How widespread and dangerous is the Wagner Group’s presence on the African continent? How can the U.S. counter Wagner activity on the African continent? Does the Fault Lines crew foresee strikes on Wagner?

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.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/23/wagner-russia-africa-leaked-documents/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-intelligence-points-to-wagner-plot-against-key-western-ally-in-africa-29867547

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

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 211: Let’s Go to Syria Apr 24, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the Washington Post’s story that Ukraine was planning attacks against Russian forces in Syria. According to documents in the Jack Teixeira leak, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency was considering multiple ways to attack Russian forces in Syria, particularly focused on the Wagner Group, Russia’s mercenary company.

Is the Teixeira leak more damaging than we originally assessed? Could expanding the battlefield be beneficial to Ukraine? Should the Biden Administration be more concerned about information security?

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.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/04/20/russia-ukraine-war-syria-attacks/

https://news.usni.org/2023/04/17/feds-investigating-former-sailor-behind-pro-russian-donbass-devushka-accounts

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

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 210: Corruption and Collective Security Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s surprise visit to Kiev. During Secretary General Stoltenberg’s visit, he said, “Ukraine’s future is in NATO,” his strongest statement about the relationship between Ukraine and NATO since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began nearly 14 months ago.

What does the Fault Lines crew think will be Ukraine’s fate with NATO? Will the U.S. partake in a collective defense commitment for Ukraine? Should wartime support to Ukraine and NATO membership be kept separate?

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/europe/german-defence-minister-now-is-not-time-discuss-ukraine-nato-membership-2023-04-20/

https://www.newsweek.com/nato-should-beg-ukraine-join-russia-war-diplomat-1795075

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

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.