Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 189: North Korea Starves. Again. Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the current hunger crisis in North Korea. Reports indicate that over 40% of North Koreans are facing malnutrition and hunger, and North Korea has asked the World Food Program for help.

How should the United States respond to the hunger crisis in North Korea? Will North Korea allow more of the international community to help feed its people? What role does China and Russia's support of North Korea play in all this?

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/articles/north-korea-suffers-one-of-its-worst-food-crises-in-decades-ee25aa86

https://apnews.com/article/politics-kim-jong-un-south-korea-seoul-north-950fb682af3421c283870b30b5501560

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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

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

Episode 188: The House Tackles China Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the new House Select Committee on China’s first public hearing, which aired last night in prime time. This first hearing set the table for what is likely to be a year or two of Congressional focus on China and laid out the multitude of threats posed by the country.

How much should the U.S. prioritize the competition with China? How far should the U.S. go in decoupling economically from China? How can Congress get the American public to pay attention to the threats posed by the CCP?

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/china-house-select-committee-hearing-tiktok-hr-mcmaster-matthew-pottinger/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/bipartisan-china-committee-hold-first-hearing-tension-us-beijing-rcna72476

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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 187: A Deepening China-Russia Alliance Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss recent headlines about China's consideration of providing lethal military assistance to Russia - including statements from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. However, on Sunday, the U.S. made clear there is no evidence that China has already provided lethal aid.

How concerned is the Fault Lines crew that China may come to Russia’s aid? What will the Biden Administration do about China’s relationship with Russia? If China does provide weapons to Russia, what should the consequences be?

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.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-china-artillery-ammunition-us-intelligence-rcna72353

https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-china-calls-for-peace-u-s-believes-beijing-is-mulling-artillery-and-drone-deliveries-to-moscow-aee2b62a

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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 186: New START of Arms Race? Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent announcement that Moscow would “suspend” its participation in the New START treaty, a nuclear nonproliferation agreement entered into in 2011 that puts limits on the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads deployed by the U.S. and Russia.

Is Putin playing nuclear games? Will Russia still abide by the the treaty’s limitations? Does the Fault Lines crew think the U.S. is headed towards another nuclear arms race?

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.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-says-putin-made-big-mistake-new-start-treaty-rcna71764

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/21/politics/nuclear-weapons-new-start-treaty-what-matters/index.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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 185: Wildlife vs. Oil Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the initiation of a $10 billion oil project in Uganda to build 10 well pads inside Uganda’s largest national park, which has become yet another flashpoint in the global battle against climate change.

What does the Fault Lines team think of Uganda being pressured to forgo its natural resources? How does the World Bank balance promoting economic growth and security in poor nations with environmental concerns? Should wealthy nations be paying developing countries for their ambitious climate goals?

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/articles/uganda-other-african-nations-push-for-fossil-fuel-projects-7dbcd006

https://apnews.com/article/politics-uganda-europe-climate-and-environment-business-cfc29315710d7aec764ede097ec6f0bf

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Episode 184: The Ukraine War Turns One Year Old Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss President Biden's surprise visit to Kyiv and the impending one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

What is Fault Lines’ assessment of the war in Ukraine after a year? Is the Biden Administration doing all that it can do to support Ukraine? Will the current on-the-ground stalemate result in an ultimate Russian loss?

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.cnn.com/2023/02/20/politics/biden-ukraine-zelensky-visit-one-year-war-anniversary-intl-hnk/index.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-in-ukraine-russia-war-news-today-china-putin-lethal-aid-concern/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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 183: Twin Quakes in Syria and Turkey Highlight Relief Challenges Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and northwestern Syria. The death toll continues to mount, with estimates now exceeding 44,000, along with hundreds of thousands facing displacement.

What should the United States, our allies, and the international community be doing to better address the growing crisis in the region? Are sanctions halting any progress in humanitarian aide? Will the Turkish and Syrian regimes be able to step in and provide aide for their people?

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/politics-turkey-government-business-earthquakes-0f7d4fb77ea45c94b7b5ecd637a930c7

https://www.wsj.com/articles/earthquake-fallout-raises-political-stakes-in-turkeys-election-year-f921ae11

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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 182: Putin’s Playbook Turns its Page to Moldova Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s recent accusations of Russia plotting to overthrow her country’s pro-Western government. Ms. Sandu’s remarks follow Ukrainian President Zelensky’s warnings last week that Ukrainian intelligence had intercepted “a detailed Russian plan” to destabilize Moldova.

How serious are Russian destabilization efforts in former Soviet governments? What – if any – impact does this development have on the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Does the Fault Lines crew think Moldova is the new “Ukraine” in terms of Western and NATO expansion?

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.economist.com/europe/2023/02/13/moldova-fears-it-might-fall-victim-to-a-russian-coup-plot

https://time.com/6255048/russia-moldova-plot/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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 181: From Balloons to Arms Control? Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent collaboration of U.S. and Canadian military aircraft to shoot down four separate unidentified objects flying over North America over the past several days.

How aggressive should we be with unknown aircraft? When will the U.S. government identify where these aircraft are coming from and what their mission capabilities are? Do these shootdowns mean we are closer to war than we realize?

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/2023/02/12/spy-balloon-alaska-canada/

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/12/politics/lake-huron-high-altitude-object/index.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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 180: DeathStar Link: Russian Bots Celebrate Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss SpaceX’s recent announcement that it will limit Ukraine's use of its Starlink satellite systems for "offensive" military operations. Starlink has provided critical communication capabilities to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last February.

How will SpaceX’s decision affect the war on the ground? Will depriving Ukrainians of this capability be a massive set back? How involved should the private sector be in military efforts?

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://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/09/ukraine-russia-war-starlink-drones-musk-spacex/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/09/starlink-restricts-internet-drones-ukraine/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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.