Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Episode 179: Russia-Iran: An Explosive Relationship Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Today, Jess, Jamil, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Senior Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the recent development that Moscow and Tehran are moving ahead with plans to build a new factory in Russia that could make at least 6,000 Iranian-designed drones for the war in Ukraine, the latest sign of deepening cooperation between the two nations.

How will the growing Iran-Russia relationship impact the current conflict in Ukraine and in future conflicts? Is this merely a relationship of convenience or a new “permanent” partnership? What influence will this relationship have on Middle East relations?

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/iranian-drones-in-ukraine-project-tehrans-power-beyond-mideast-testing-u-s-europe-11666880851?mod=article_inline

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-30/russia-rejected-iran-s-400-missiles-request-amid-gulf-tension

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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Episode 178: The Balloon That Popped Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the famous Chinese spy balloon that entered the U.S. airspace over Idaho from Canada last week and was ultimately shot down by the U.S. Air Force over the Atlantic Ocean off the Carolina Coast this weekend.

Should the balloon have been shot down much earlier? Does the handling of the balloon reflect a credibility issue for this Administration? What does the Fault Lines crew think of the partisan squabbling over the balloon?

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.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64530102

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/05/world/asia/china-balloon-united-states.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!

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Episode 177: Middle East Tensions Boiling Over? Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discussed the recent increase in violent clashes and attacks across the Middle East, which included an Israeli counterterrorism operation in the West Bank, an attack on a synagogue in East Jerusalem, and a drone strike on an Iranian Defense Ministry factory in Isfahan.

What should the U.S. be doing in these instances of increased violence in the region? Is the U.S. being aggressive enough in its own counterterrorism operations? How should the U.S. prioritize its global security commitments?

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/2023/01/29/world/middleeast/iran-drone-strike-israel.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/doj-charges-3-men-murder-hire-plot-journalist-critical-iran-rcna67863

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 176: South Korea’s Security Jitters Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discussed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent announcement made in South Korea that in response to a growing North Korean nuclear threat, the U.S. will increase its deployment of advanced weapons such as fighter jets and bombers to the Korean Peninsula and alongside our South Korean partners. However, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said that South Korea might need nuclear weapons of its own.

What can the U.S. do to assure South Korea that the U.S. will come to their defense in case of conflict? Is the U.S. doing enough to counter North Korean aggression? Is a nuclear South Korea inevitable?

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/us-increase-weapons-deployment-counter-north-korea-rcna68323

https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/01/25/dueling-nuclear-nightmares-behind-south-korean-president-s-alarming-comments-pub-88879

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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

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

Episode 175: China Concerns Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss Air Force General Michael Minihan’s recent memo he sent to forces under his command, which cited Xi Jinping’s third term as China’s supreme leader, an election in Taiwan in 2024, and our own American presidential election in late 2024 as possible stepping stones to a war between the U.S. and China in 2025, precipitated by a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Is a Chinese attack on Taiwan – invasion, blockade, or some combination – likely in 2025? How should the U.S. prepare for this possibility? Are there any lessons we can learn from the Russian invasion of Ukraine ahead of such future aggression?

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/politics/2023/01/29/china-conflict-mccaul/

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-four-star-general-warns-war-with-china-2025-2023-01-28/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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

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

Episode 174: Protests in Peru: More than Machu Picchu Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the eruption of protests and violence caused by the Peruvian Congress' removal of President Pedro Castillo after he unsuccessfully tried to dissolve Congress and stage a so-called “bloodless coup.” Though the failed coup has been far from bloodless, with dozens of people killed and nearly 1,000 injured in clashes between Peruvian government forces and protestors.

What is the deeper significance of Peru’s political turmoil beyond the closure of Machu Picchu? What does Peru’s crisis tell us about democracy? What can and should the U.S. do to support Peru?

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/peru-protests-what-is-behind-violence-2023-01-12/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/22/briefing/peru-protests.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

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

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

Episode 173: Turkey Toppling NATO’s Future? Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Senior Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss Turkish President Erdogan’s recent statement that Sweden should not expect Turkey’s support for its NATO membership following tensions over anti-Islam protests in Stockholm over the weekend.

What does the Fault Lines team think of Finland and Sweden joining NATO? How should the U.S. balance its relationship with Turkey and its support of democratic states? Should Congress push hard on a conditions deal with Turkey, or should this be left in the hands of President Biden?

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/2023/01/13/turkey-f-16s-finland-sweden-nato/

https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/05/its-time-to-boot-turkey-from-nato/

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 172: Who’s at Home in Haiti? Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Senior Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the political turmoil and public health crises happening in Haiti. Haiti has zero elected representatives running the Haitian government, armed gangs are wreaking havoc on the population, and cholera is reemerging as a severe public health threat.

What are the real drivers of instability in Haiti? Should the United States and/or the international community intervene in the affairs of Haiti? Would an international peacekeeping force be successful in stabilizing the country or would it provoke even more violence?

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/2023/01/21/haiti-democracy-crisis/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/10/haiti-no-elected-officials-anarchy-failed-state

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 171: Is the U.S. Tanking on Ukraine Military Aid? Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent announcement that Britain would send Ukraine one dozen Challenger 2 main battle tanks. The move may pressure other allies, like the United States and Germany which have—at least thus far—refused to provide such high powered weaponry.

Should the U.S. ramp up its delivery of more substantive military capabilities? Has the U.S.’s $60 billion in military aid been enough? Do these announcements risk potential escalation with the Russians, or do they enhance deterrence?

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.bbc.com/news/uk-64274755

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/18/politics/us-ukraine-tanks/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.

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

Episode 170: China Changes? Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Today, Les, Jess, and special guest host NSI Senior Fellow and Senior Principal at Navigators Global Andy Keiser discuss the recent announcement that China’s population declined for the first time since 1961, when the country was wracked by famine as a direct result of horrendous economic planning. China also announced that its economy grew at only 3% last year, the lowest growth rate in history.

How will these deep changes to China’s population and economy affect the Chinese Communist Party’s national security policy? Can Xi Jinping stay in power when the economic success of the past four decades that has sustained the Communist Party is at risk? Should the United States change its estimation of China as a peer competitor?

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/chinas-population-shrinks-first-time-since-1961-2023-01-17/

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/18/world/asia/china-population-shrinking.html

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@jamil_n_jaffer

@NotTVJessJones

@lestermunson

@AndyKeiser

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

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