Fault Lines

Latest Episodes:

Fault Lines Episode 581: China’s Unsinkable Aircraft Carriers Apr 10, 2026

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Today, Les, Morgan, Algene, and Marc examine China's accelerating base construction in the South China Sea, with new activity at Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands drawing fresh scrutiny. Beijing has been building artificial islands since launching a major dredging campaign in 2013, insisting the infrastructure is civilian while expanding its military footprint across waterways that carry roughly 30% of global oil trade. International courts have ruled against China's claims, but Beijing has largely ignored those rulings — and few are pressing the point.

Is China's construction at Antelope Reef part of a deliberate strategy to deny the U.S. the ability to come to Taiwan's aid? With the U.S. already depleting munitions and military assets at a significant rate, how dangerous is a moment of softening toward Beijing? What investments must the United States make now to restore deterrence before China's position becomes unassailable?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@algenesajery

@washingtonflack

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Fault Lines Episode 580: Whiplash on the Strait: Ceasefire or Capitulation? Apr 08, 2026

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Today, Jess, Les, Jamie, and Algene break down a dizzying week in U.S.-Iran policy — from the President threatening to "end Iranian civilization" to declaring a two-week ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has signaled new conditions for ships passing through the strait, as both sides trade proposals during the ceasefire. The White House is calling it a historic military operation but critics argue Iran may be gaining leverage over one of the world’s most critical chokepoints.

What has the United States actually gained from the last six weeks of operations? Is this ceasefire just the start of negotiations — and where could those negotiations realistically lead? And if Iran’s military capability has been degraded, is there any opportunity for real change inside the country?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@algenesajery

@msjamiejackson

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Fault Lines Episode 579: Behind Enemy Lines Apr 06, 2026

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Today, Morgan, Jess, Les, Jamil, and John discuss the dramatic recovery of an F-15 airman who was shot down over southwestern Iran, evaded enemy forces, and was ultimately rescued in a complex operation that included a last-minute aircraft failure and on-the-ground improvisation. While the mission marks a rare good news story in the ongoing conflict, it also raises serious questions about Iran’s ability to target advanced U.S. aircraft, with both an F-15 and an A-10 reportedly hit in the same day.

What does this incident reveal about Iran’s air defense capabilities, and who or what might be supporting them? As the financial costs of the conflict mount and the Pentagon eyes a massive defense budget, how sustainable is this level of engagement? And with the possibility of escalation growing, are Americans prepared for the risks that come with a larger and longer war?

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@nottvjessjones

@johnclipsey

@jamil_n_jaffer

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Fault Lines Episode 578: Artemis II: Space Race or New Fantastic Four? Apr 03, 2026

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Today, Les, Jess, Matthew, and Algene discuss Artemis 2's launch this week, sending four astronauts on a ten-day trip around the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 — built with allied partners in Canada and Europe, and costing a fraction of what the original moonshots ran.

But while Americans are glued to the launch, China and Russia are quietly teaming up on their own lunar ambitions, with Beijing eyeing a base near the Moon's south pole. Can the U.S. and its allies out-innovate and out-invest a coordinated rival space program? As commercial launch costs plummet and private sector involvement grows, what does the future of allied cooperation in space actually look like? What does it take to inspire the next generation of explorers?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@lestermunson

@nottvjessjones

@AlgeneSajery

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Fault Lines Episode 577: Tankers and Tehran: Russia Fills the Gap Apr 01, 2026

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Today, Jess, Jamil, Les, and Morgan unpack how the war with Iran is reshaping global energy markets and giving Russia an unexpected boost. As supplies tighten, the demand for Russian oil has surged and the U.S. has temporarily eased restrictions on certain Russian shipments. At the same time, tensions with NATO and coordination with European partners remain uneven.

Is this a temporary stabilization measure or a longer term policy? How does easing restrictions affect the war in Ukraine and Moscow’s broader leverage? What other options did the administration have to address the energy crunch?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@nottvjessjones

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

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Fault Lines Episode 576: Moscow's Iranian Gambit Mar 30, 2026

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Today, Morgan, Jamil, Les, and Andy examine Russia's deepening involvement with Iran as Moscow's list of reliable partners shrinks. With Assad ousted from Syria, Maduro sidelined, and Cuba caught in an American vice grip, Russia is losing friends fast. Russia and Iran have exchanged weapons, intelligence, and military technology — including Iranian drones now being built in Russia and provided back to Iran. Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly positioned itself for short-term economic gains in Iran's energy sector, even as the war with Ukraine grinds on.

How sustainable is America's strategy of isolating Russia? Can Russia be trusted as an ally to anyone, given its pattern of abandoning partners when it becomes inconvenient? Is Russia's relationship with Iran a genuine strategic alignment or simply a marriage of convenience that will fracture under pressure?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@andykeiser

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Fault Lines Episode 575: Pakistan, the Resurgence No One Saw Coming Mar 27, 2026

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Today, Les, Jess, Amy, and Jamie unpack Pakistan’s reemergence on the global stage as a potential intermediary in the U.S.–Iran conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken an active role in negotiations, with President Trump appearing open to Islamabad playing a larger diplomatic role. The outreach includes high-level engagement between U.S. officials and Pakistan’s military leadership, signaling a possible reset after years in which U.S. ties with India sidelined the relationship. Pakistan has also joined the Board of Peace initiative and is leaning into a dealmaking approach that aligns with the administration’s style, even as it maintains strong economic ties with China and a history of balancing between competing powers.

Is Pakistan a credible broker in the Iran conflict, or simply playing both sides as it has in the past? What does this renewed engagement mean for U.S. relationships with traditional partners like India? Why is Washington turning to nontraditional partners at this stage of the conflict? And should Congress demand greater clarity on what, exactly, the administration is offering Islamabad in return for its role?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@amykmitchell

@msjamiejackson

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Fault Lines Episode 574: Who will be the Persian Delcy Rodriguez? Mar 25, 2026

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Today, Jess, Les, Matthew, and Matt unpack the growing uncertainty in Iran as the United States prepares to deploy up to 3,000 additional troops while President Trump advances a 15-point peace plan. At the center of this moment is a fragile leadership picture, with Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly in power but sidelined by injury and inexperience, and figures like Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emerging as potential intermediaries—or future power brokers.

Who is actually speaking for the U.S. in these talks, and is there a credible counterpart on the Iranian side? As a coalition forms to secure global energy flows, does this mark a turning point in allied coordination? With rapid advances in defense technology underway, is this conflict reshaping not just the region, but the future of warfare?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@WMattHayden

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Fault Lines Episode 573: Missiles and Mixed Signals Mar 23, 2026

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Today, Morgan, Les, Jess, and Matt examine Iran's latest escalation after Tehran launched two intermediate-range missiles at Diego Garcia, a US-UK joint base on Friday. This morning, President Trump announced a five-day pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, claiming weekend progress in talks with Iran. The announcement comes as Iran demonstrates it can now hold more than just the Middle East hostage, with its longer-range capabilities potentially dragging Europe directly into the conflict.

Is Trump's pause a genuine diplomatic opening or a negotiation tactic? With Iran's longer-range capabilities in play and the Strait of Hormuz increasingly unstable, will European capitals finally be compelled to act? What does this mean for U.S. marines deploying to the region?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@morganlroach

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@WMattHayden

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Fault Lines Episode 572: Make Ammunition Great Again? Mar 20, 2026

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Today, Les, Jess, and Amy examine the Trump administration's rumored $200 billion supplemental appropriations request for operations in Iran — a figure that would exceed every previous wartime funding request. The request comes alongside whispers of a $1.5 trillion defense budget, a staggering 50 percent increase over last year. Both the House and Senate declined to disapprove military action in Iran, even as questions mount about what the funds will actually cover and whether this signals a prolonged conflict ahead.

Is this request a bridge to permanently higher defense spending, or a temporary surge tied to specific operational needs? How does a $200 billion ask square with the administration's repeated claims about military readiness and stockpile health? If Congress can't muster the votes for standalone authorization, could they push this through budget reconciliation instead?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@amykmitchell

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We are also on YouTube; watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/cRhG08wn9eQ

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