Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Breaking Chains: How the United States Tackles Religious Persecution Abroad Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

This week, we take a deep dive into the “hot spots” in the world for religious persecution including Nigeria, Burma and Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Samuel Brownback served as the Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom at the U.S. State Department under the Trump Administration. Prior to his service as Ambassador, he served as a Congressman, Senator and Governor of the great state of Kansas. He has a unique perspective of how religious freedom directly relates to our nation’s national security and we are thrilled to have him provide his insights on how religious persecution is often a key ingredient to global repression.

He discusses how freedom of religion plays into U.S. foreign policy. What mechanisms does the U.S. government have at its disposal to curb religious persecution? What is the impact on U.S. bilateral relations with states who allow don’t allow freedom of religion within their borders? How does advocating for this fundamental human right impact our national security?

This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Breaking Chains: Russia's War Crimes In Ukraine Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

This week, we discuss the tragic war crimes occurring against the Ukrainian people since Russia invaded the country. As we learn this week, this is a common trend when it comes to Russia, and this is not the first time they have repressed and abused their neighbors. How is this unprovoked war impacting the Ukrainian people on the ground? What is the international community doing to bring those who perpetrate these war crimes to justice?

Michael Sawkiw, Executive Vice President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, has spent years advocating for Ukrainians and has worked tirelessly to support the Ukrainian community in the United States. He has a deep knowledge of the human rights violations and atrocities occurring on the ground in Ukraine since the Russian invasion and we are thrilled to have him join us to share his insights.

This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Special Episode: Building a Safer Cryptoverse Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Illicit finance poses one of the key national security challenges facing the crypto industry. How do U.S. regulators and policymakers work with stakeholders to implement solutions that may be at odds with crypto’s underlying ethos of decentralization? Is crypto the driving factor behind increased ransomware activity or just a symptom? What lessons can the United States take from other governments, like the EU and the UK, in upgrading our anti-money laundering framework?

Ari Redbord, Head of Legal and Government Affairs at TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence company, joins Fault Lines for a special episode to help assess some of the national security challenges facing the crypto industry.

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Breaking Chains: Inside the PRC’s Surveillance State Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

This week, to kick off our summer series on global repression, “Breaking Chains: Fighting the New Global Repressors,” we are taking a deep dive into the surveillance state in the People’s Republic of China, namely, the Xinjiang Province. What technology does the PRC have at its disposal? How has this technology furthered repression of the Uyghur minority group?

Geoffrey Cain, author of “The Perfect Police State: An Undercover Odyssey into China's Terrifying Surveillance Dystopia of the Future” and award winning foreign correspondent has been on the ground in the region and shares his insights, reporting and assessment of what the future may hold.

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Special Episode: Sri Lanka - A Country in Free Fall Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

This week, Sri Lanka is set to choose a new president in the midst of a massive unrest and a catastrophic economic crisis. What does this mean for U.S. security interest in the region? How can Sri Lanka’s partners best assist in this situation? With Sri Lanka's economy shattered, food and fuel dangerously scarce, and massive international debts, is there any hope for Asia’s oldest democracy?

Atul Keshap, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka from 2015 - 2018, joins Fault Lines in a special episode to help address these questions and more!

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

**Fault Lines Update**

Join us next week for our limited and special summer series “Breaking Chains: Fighting the Next Global Repressors.” Over the next month, we will highlight the many serious human rights violations we are witnessing across the globe - from war crimes in Ukraine to new information coming out on China's treatment of the Uyghurs. You don’t want to miss this!

Note: This episode was recorded at 1:00 PM ET on July 18, 2022. Events on the ground in Sri Lanka have moved quickly since then!

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

Episode 134: Exploring Boundaries with Taiwan, IPEF, and War Crimes Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

This week, Les, Jane, Scott, and Sarah discuss President Biden’s articulation of the US policy in the event China invades Taiwan, the creation of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the first Russian soldier convicted of war crimes. Was it truly a mistake on President Biden’s part when he says that the U.S. would defend Taiwan if China were to invade? Will China engage in military activity against Taiwan in the next 2.5 years? Is IPEF significant? What are the implications of Ukraine convicting the first Russian solder of war crimes? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

**Fault Lines Update**

Fault Lines is taking a break for the rest of June. Join us in July for our limited and special summer series that will highlight the many serious human rights violations we are witnessing across the globe - from war crimes in Ukraine to new information coming out on China's treatment of the Uyghur. You don’t want to miss this!

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

Episode 133: On the Ground in Ukraine May 25, 2022

Show notes

Live from Western Ukraine, join NSI for a very important conversation with Fox News Correspondent Mike Tobin. Mike has been reporting on the war from Western Ukraine and has himself been impacted by Russian atrocities. How is this war different from other combat zones? How have Ukrainians strengthened their resolve to push back against Russia? These questions and more answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines.

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Special Episode: Energy: An Abundant Fuel for Geopolitics May 20, 2022

Show notes

Energy has played a featured role in Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. What role has it historically played in the strategic calculations of nations? Can Europe eliminate dependence on Russia for gas? How has the U.S. shale revolution and the development liquified natural gas (LNG) reverberated globally? Are we truly able to transition away from hydrocarbons? Which new energy technologies will have the biggest strategic implications? Tune in as we discuss these questions and more with Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global and the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power.

Be sure to read more about energy and its implication in geopolitics in his latest book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. You can purchase it here.

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Episode 132: Vikings Join NATO and Xi's IP Dilemma May 18, 2022

Show notes

This week, Les, Matt, Rob, and Carmen discuss Finland and Sweden’s willingness to join NATO, the $40B assistance for Ukraine, and China’s intellectual property theft. Did President Putin misjudge NATO’s strength? Will the $40B assistance for Ukraine lead to a reordering of our domestic politics on national security issues? What does the intellectual property theft from Chinese government hackers have to say about China’s economy? These questions and more are answered on the latest episode of Fault Lines!

Be sure to join NSI for our next event with former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on Thursday, May 26 at 5 PM ET. Secretary Pompeo will share his insights on how the U.S. can maintain its leadership in an every evolving world. You can register for this event here.

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

Episode 131: The Economic War Over Ukraine May 11, 2022

Show notes

America and the EU have avoided a direct military role in Ukraine. Instead, they have used economic measure to punish Russia. As we look at the sanctions in place, are there further actions America can take to limit Russia’s ability to finance their war? How can America and the EU make their sanctions more impactful? Why is it important for America to take an active role in reconstructing Ukraine after the war? Join us as we discuss these questions and more with Natalie Jaresko, former Minister of Finance for Ukraine, who breaks down the current economic crisis in Russia and Ukraine. As a special bonus, Natalie shared the many ways our listeners can get involved with helping Ukrainians deal with the effects of the invasion. Be sure to check out some of the resources she had listed below:

https://www.boycottrussia.info/

https://squeezingputin.com/

https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/almost-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remain

https://www.strongerthanever.com/

https://ukraine.welcome.us/

Like this episode? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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