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Fault Lines
National Security Institute
540 episodes
2 days ago

Fault Lines, the National Security Institute’s flagship podcast, gets you quickly up to speed, three-times-a-week, on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America.


Our regular cast of foreign policy experts includes NSI Deputy Executive Director Martha Miller, NSI Senior Fellows Lester Munson and Morgan Viña, and Director of the NSI CTC - Howard University Cybersecurity Clinic Jessica Jones. 


Tune in to learn more about the issues dominating headlines and the news stories you may have missed.


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

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Politics
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All content for Fault Lines is the property of National Security Institute and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Fault Lines, the National Security Institute’s flagship podcast, gets you quickly up to speed, three-times-a-week, on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America.


Our regular cast of foreign policy experts includes NSI Deputy Executive Director Martha Miller, NSI Senior Fellows Lester Munson and Morgan Viña, and Director of the NSI CTC - Howard University Cybersecurity Clinic Jessica Jones. 


Tune in to learn more about the issues dominating headlines and the news stories you may have missed.


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

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Politics
News,
Government
Episodes (20/540)
Fault Lines
Episode 528: A House of Dynamite — How Real Is Netflix’s New Nuclear Thriller?

Today, Les, Jamil, Morgan, and Jess break from the usual policy deep-dives for a special episode: a review of A House of Dynamite, the new 90-minute Netflix thriller that imagines a nuclear missile headed straight for the United States. The film unfolds through three overlapping vantage points—a Navy captain running the White House Situation Room, a deputy national security advisor suddenly thrust into a life-or-death decision cycle, and a Secretary of Defense guiding a president portrayed by Idris Elba. With standout performances from Jared Harris, Rebecca Ferguson, and newcomer Gabriel Basso, the movie blends high-stakes crisis response with surprisingly grounded depictions of how the U.S. government might react in the unthinkable scenario of an inbound nuclear strike.


How realistic is Hollywood’s take on nuclear command and control? Which perspective offers the most credible view of how the system actually works? And what does the film get right—or wrong—about the speed, uncertainty, and pressure of decision-making when minutes determine national survival?


@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@nottvjessjones

@morganlroach


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/a_NHqB2PIv8


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

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2 days ago
13 minutes 43 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 527: Baghdad at the Ballot Box: What Iraq’s Election Means for the U.S.

Today, Jess, Les, Matt, and Algene discuss Iraq’s parliamentary elections, where Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s coalition claimed victory, though history suggests the post-election power struggles are just beginning. With half of Iraq’s population under 25, voter turnout strong, and political violence relatively low, this election could mark a step forward for Iraqi democracy.


What do the results mean for U.S. strategy in the region as Washington prepares to reduce its troop presence by 2026? Can Iraq resist deepening Iranian influence at a time when Syria’s landscape is shifting? And as the U.S. pushes to expand the Abraham Accords and secure energy stability, will Baghdad emerge as a partner for regional progress — or a pressure point for America’s Middle East policy?


Check out this source that helped shape our fellows’ discussion: 


https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iraqs-prime-minister-iran-backed-militias-set-for-difficult-negotiations-after-election-4668abb8?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfwA1yCAZTvMYMMp3i22_AkbCNDrQA-Ipis82JTDlJhiWMQ7gXCr_20BU6k91s%3D&gaa_ts=6916447b&gaa_sig=A231zbhaHMgoOWVXiVlE9kmZm1YmZvrIr9lVtai7yGoudpX6Xg-xoN3621z8UoZoEU1mt7i5d4OsmTh2rcb7JA%3D%3D4dd7f26b8e98 


@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@AlgeneSajery

@WMattHayden


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/94KRBnShAKY 


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

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5 days ago
8 minutes 16 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 526: Power Projection or Overreach? U.S. Fleet Heads to the Caribbean

Today, Morgan, Jamil, Les, and Jess discuss the Trump administration’s deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Caribbean as part of its intensified campaign against Latin American drug cartels. The move dramatically expands U.S. presence in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of operations—with destroyers, F-35 fighters, and Reaper drones joining the effort—and has drawn a fierce response from Venezuela’s Maduro regime, which launched its own military exercises in protest.


What’s Washington’s real objective here, countering narcotics networks or signaling to Caracas? And if most fentanyl traffics through land routes via Mexico, not by sea, is this deployment really about fighting the drug trade, or about projecting power closer to Venezuela’s shores? As regional partners like Colombia and the UK distance themselves from the mission, is this bold strategy a show of deterrence—or a costly display of overkill?


Check out this source that helped shape our fellows’ discussion: 


@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@nottvjessjones

@jamil_n_jaffer


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/pdQoeYya9hs


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

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1 week ago
8 minutes 45 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 525: Anchors Away? U.S. Sinks Global Shipping Tax Vote

Today, Les, Jamil, and Jess discuss the Trump administration’s successful effort to delay a major vote at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body that oversees global shipping regulations. The proposal would have taxed vessels based on carbon emissions, with revenues funneled to the UN. The U.S. opposed the measure, warning it would raise shipping fuel costs and threaten to worsen inflation at home. After intense U.S. lobbying—described by some as bullying—the IMO voted to postpone the plan.


Was this coercion or simply hardball diplomacy? Should the UN, through the IMO, have the authority to levy global taxes in the first place? And as the administration frames its push as economic self-defense, does this signal a broader rejection of multilateral climate measures that Washington sees as bad for business?


Check out this souce that helped shape our fellows’ discussion: 


https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/climate/trump-climate-international-bullying.html 


@lestermunson

@nottvjessjones

@jamil_n_jaffer


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/E-gic_8yWKo 


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

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1 week ago
10 minutes 14 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 524: Sanctions to State Visit: Syria’s Trip to Washington

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Andy unpack a potentially dramatic diplomatic turn in Syria-US relations. The United Nations has lifted sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa—reportedly at Washington’s urging—clearing the way for his historic visit to the White House next week. Once a commander in the al-Nusra Front, al-Sharaa now leads a Syrian government pivoting from isolation to engagement, as the Trump Administration considers establishing a U.S. military presence at an airbase in Damascus.


What does this mean for Trump’s broader Middle East vision of normalization with Israel? Can Syria’s fragile new government withstand domestic backlash as it moves closer to Washington? Is this a genuine pivot away from Iran and Russia, or just another chapter in Syria’s long game of survival?


@nottvjessjones

@morganlroach

@andykeiser


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/ImZo1I2hd7U 


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

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1 week ago
8 minutes 17 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 523: Tanzania’s Turning Point?

Today, Morgan, Les, Amy, and Andy discuss the recent political violence in Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan claimed victory with 98% of the vote in an election widely condemned as neither free nor fair. Opposition candidates were arrested, protests have been violently suppressed, and Tundu Lissu, leader of the banned Chadema party, faces treason charges for calling for election reform. Once seen as one of East Africa’s more stable democracies, this marks a sharp and troubling turn for Tanzania.


What does this mean for democratic backsliding across Africa—and beyond? Could instability in Tanzania open new opportunities for China and Russia to expand their influence in the region? And as the United States continues to pull back from Africa, can Washington afford to keep treating the continent as an afterthought while authoritarian powers move in?


@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@amykmitchell

@andykeiser


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/V7rxk5Ujndw 


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

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2 weeks ago
9 minutes 1 second

Fault Lines
Episode 522: Guns Ablazing - Trump Signals Possible Troop Move to Nigeria

Today, Les, Jamil, Morgan, and Andrew discuss President Trump’s latest statement that U.S. troops may be sent to Nigeria to confront what he described as terrorists targeting Christians. The post sparked immediate controversy, with some analysts noting the Administration may be conflating two distinct conflicts: sectarian violence between Fulani herders and Christian farmers, and the extremist insurgencies of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa. President Tinubu has said he would welcome U.S. security assistance, but the situation on the ground—and Washington’s strategy—remain deeply unclear.


Is the Trump administration misdiagnosing Nigeria’s complex conflict? What would an American military intervention look like, especially after the U.S. was expelled from Niger and pulled back counterterrorism operations across the Sahel? And with terrorist groups resurging in West Africa and Russia’s Africa Corps expanding its footprint, can the U.S. afford to stay disengaged or is it about to overcorrect?


@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@jamil_n_jaffer

@andrewborene


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/NTXlBlBCFac 


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

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2 weeks ago
13 minutes 49 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 521: Here Today, Gone To-Mali

Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Jess discuss the alarming developments in Mali, where an Al Qaeda affiliate may soon control the country outright. With the U.S. ordering Americans to evacuate and fuel imports blockaded across the country, the situation in Bamako is rapidly deteriorating. Could this be the moment Al Qaeda transitions from insurgency to governance — collecting taxes, enforcing rule, and projecting power beyond the Sahel?


If an Al Qaeda-linked regime does consolidate control, what would that mean for U.S. policy, recognition, confrontation, or containment? How might this reshape counterterrorism strategy in Africa, especially as Russia and China expand their influence in the region? And with extremist groups rising across the Sahel and no confirmed Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, can Washington afford to stay on the sidelines?


@lestermunson

@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@nottvjessjones


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/biwoX319D1c 




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

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2 weeks ago
14 minutes 13 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 520: Critical Minerals, Critical Allies: The U.S.-Japan Minerals Deal Explained

Today, Morgan, Martha, Sarah, and Jess discuss the latest developments in the U.S.–Japan relationship following President Trump’s meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The two leaders announced a wide-ranging set of agreements, including deals on F-35 fighter jets, missile systems, and a Memorandum of Understanding to finance new shipbuilding and critical mineral projects. With China controlling about 90 percent of the world’s rare earth supply, the new MOU commits both nations to support mining ventures within six months—underscoring their shared goal of securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains.


What does this deal mean for U.S. national security and economic resilience? Can Washington and Tokyo’s “friendshoring” strategy strengthen defenses against China’s dominance in the minerals market—or is it more symbolic than strategic? And as Trump eyes a potential deal with Beijing that could also touch on critical minerals, will this partnership with Japan bolster U.S. leverage—or complicate the calculus?


@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@nottvjessjones

@SarahStewartDC


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/purBnjeXBiM 


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

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3 weeks ago
14 minutes 18 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 519: Talks in Transition: Can the U.S. and China Cool the Conflict?

Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Jess discuss the latest from President Trump’s Asia tour — with stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea ahead of this week’s high-profile U.S.–China meeting at APEC. With a new framework reportedly in place between Trump and Xi, including quarterly check-ins, Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods, cooperation on critical minerals, and a fentanyl agreement, the conversation turns to what real progress looks like.


Will this meeting mark a genuine thaw in U.S.–China relations or just a temporary easing of tensions? Can these trade and minerals agreements meaningfully rebalance competition, or do they simply restore the uneasy status quo? With the U.S. economy in question, could this meeting deliver practical gains to American workers and industries – or will the promises fade once the cameras turn off?


More information on today’s topic: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lqj5lz4geo 


@marthamillerdc

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@morganlroach


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/HF0LJzrnLFc 


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

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3 weeks ago
9 minutes 12 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 518: Russia Round Up: Sanctions, Strategy, and the Next Phase of Pressure

Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Matt break down the newest wave of U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil exports — measures designed to cut off Russia’s funding for war in Ukraine. The package includes new secondary sanctions aimed at major buyers like India and China. India is signaling a possible rethink of its Russian oil purchases, Europe is weighing the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, and — for the first time in months — the U.S. and its allies seem aligned on a tougher, coordinated economic strategy.


Will this escalation of targeting Russia’s oil exports finally dent its war machine? Or has Russia already perfected the art of sanctions evasion? If these economic measures are paired with renewed military support for Ukraine, could that combination finally shift momentum on the battlefield?


More information on today’s topic: 


https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6758pn6ylo 


https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/23/russia-nuclear-subs-western-technology-surevillance/ 


https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/23/eu-frozen-russian-money-ukraine/ 


@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@WMattHayden


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/RmkPm4F-3Rs 




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

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3 weeks ago
9 minutes 11 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 517: Rare Earths and Realpolitik: Inside the U.S. Australia Deal

Today, Les, Martha, Andy, and Jess discuss Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s White House visit and a pair of major announcements: a reinvigorated AUKUS partnership and a new U.S.–Australia critical minerals deal. While both moves signal deepening strategic and economic ties, the real test will be delivery, building nuclear-powered submarines, securing rare earth supply chains, and reducing reliance on China’s market dominance.


Can Washington and Canberra turn these announcements into action, or will timelines and industrial bottlenecks slow progress into the 2030s? Is this partnership a true step toward allied self-reliance, or mostly a political win for both leaders? And with China already waging what some would call supply chain warfare, how quickly can the U.S. and its allies really catch up?


More information on today’s topic: 

https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-anthony-albanese-submarine-australia-trade-7db18e2b942176623dcad283bfad3a6c 


https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-expedite-nuclear-powered-subs-australia-sit-near-chinas-doorstep 


https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/china-responds-us-australia-rare-earths-dealv


https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/10/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-closes-billion-dollar-deals-with-australia/ 


@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@nottvjessjones

@andykeiser


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/3Ey3hLUZHq0 


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

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4 weeks ago
10 minutes 55 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 516: Bogotá or Bust?

Today, Morgan, Jamil, Martha, and Jess unpack the growing tension between Washington and Bogotá after President Trump accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of running a drug manufacturing regime and threatened to slash aid and impose tariffs. The escalation follows Colombia’s inclusion last month on the U.S. list of countries failing to cooperate with anti-narcotics efforts—and a U.S. strike on a Colombian vessel in the Caribbean that Washington claims was tied to narco-trafficking.


Is this just political posturing or a real rupture with one of America’s closest partners in Latin America? Can Trump’s hard line curb Colombia’s rising coca production, or will it drive Bogotá closer to China and other regional players? And with talk of covert operations in Venezuela, is the administration risking another fight in the neighborhood just as it needs allies the most?


@marthamillerdc

@nottvjessjones

@morganlroach

@jamil_n_jaffer


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/fLCzJZfmi-E 


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

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4 weeks ago
8 minutes 21 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 515: Tomahawks and Tensions: Trump’s Next Move on Ukraine

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, and Algene discuss President Trump’s renewed focus on Ukraine following the Gaza ceasefire. President Zelensky is in Washington this week to discuss the possibility of Washington providing Tomahawk missiles—a move seen as both a gesture of support for Kyiv and a signal to Moscow. But after Trump’s recent call with Vladimir Putin, it’s hard to say exactly where things stand or how far the administration is willing to go.


Is this strategic balance between deterrence and diplomacy sustainable? Can Trump apply lessons from the Israel–Hamas peace deal to the Russia–Ukraine conflict, or are the stakes, and the adversaries, fundamentally different? And with Congress stalled on tougher sanctions, will symbolic gestures like limited missile transfers have real impact, or is this summit diplomacy without substance?


@marthamillerdc

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@AlgeneSajery


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/GycTO7AQ31U 


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

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1 month ago
11 minutes 38 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 514: Madagascar in Motion: Gen Z’s Push for Change

Today, Jess, Jamil, Martha, and Les discuss the wave of Gen Z–led protests shaking governments across continents—from Madagascar and Nepal, where leaders have fled, to Indonesia and beyond.  Driven by unemployment, corruption, and economic strain, these youth movements are leveraging social media and grassroots organizing to challenge entrenched power structures and, in some cases, topple leaders.


Are we seeing a new wave of youth-driven revolutions—a social-media-era sequel to the Arab Spring? What does growing instability in strategic regions like the Mozambique Channel mean for the U.S.? And how should Washington rethink its aid, training, and partnerships as political landscapes shift under generational pressure?


Check out the sources that helped shape our experts’ discussion: 


https://apnews.com/article/madagascar-protests-rajoelina-ab1e1eb1aca45fe7e80e81314ebdb0c6 


https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cqxr3y3788pt 


https://www.npr.org/2025/10/13/nx-s1-5573511/madagascar-president-flees-country-military-rebellion 


https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/oct/14/this-generation-is-defiant-gen-z-protests-set-to-resume-in-morocco-despite-deaths-and-arrests 


https://www.dw.com/en/gen-z-protests-why-are-asias-youth-so-angry/a-74349495 


https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/protests-asia-gen-z-nepal-indonesia-rcna231096 

 


@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@marthamillerdc


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/t6dAKr7O_fU 


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

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1 month ago
11 minutes 5 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 513: Shaking Up America — Trump, Gaza, and the Ripple Effects of Peace

Today, Les, Jamil, Amy, and Matt unpack the breakthrough in the Israel–Hamas peace process and what it means for U.S. foreign policy under President Trump. With the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, and the implementation of Trump’s 20-point plan, the first phase of the agreement is underway—marking a major diplomatic win for the administration.


But what comes next? The team explores the broader implications: from renewed U.S. influence in the Middle East to the potential for progress on other global fronts. Could this model be applied to challenges like the war in Ukraine or U.S.–China trade tensions? Is the Trump approach to diplomacy—high stakes, high visibility—emerging as a new blueprint for American power projection?


@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@amykmitchell

@WMattHayden


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/wxbO8chMjSM 


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

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1 month ago
10 minutes 37 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 512: Breaking Ground: Israel, Hamas and the First Phase of Peace

Today, Morgan, Martha, Jamil, and Andrew unpack the implementation of the Israel-Hamas peace agreement. The first phase includes the return of Israeli hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and limited Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Jared Kushner has also returned to the diplomatic stage—a possible sign for the Trump administration’s plans for the region. But major questions remain about Hamas’s disarmament, Gaza’s long-term governance, and the durability of a ceasefire.


Can this plan truly hold, or is it just another fragile truce in a long line of short-lived deals? Will the United States sustain pressure on both Israel and Hamas to implement each phase? And with Kushner’s return and growing regional buy-in, could this moment mark not only a breakthrough in Gaza but a broader turning point for Israel-Arab normalization?


@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

@jamil_n_jaffer

@AndrewBorene


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/BMADWVQ1YQw 


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

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1 month ago
9 minutes 45 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 511: Prague at a Crossroads: Czech Elections and Europe’s Populist Wave

Today, Martha and Andy break down the results of the Czech parliamentary elections, where voter turnout hit a record 69%. Andrej Babiš’s populist party dominated the polls but fell short of a majority, setting up months of coalition negotiations that could reshape Czechia’s political landscape. With inflation, energy costs, and living standards driving the debate, Babiš campaigned on tax cuts, re-nationalizing energy, and pushing back on Brussels, raising questions about future support for Ukraine and the EU’s climate agenda and migrant policies.


Will Babiš’s win shift Czechia’s posture toward NATO and the EU? Can Prague maintain its leadership in supporting Ukraine and countering Russian disinformation, or will a more skeptical government open space for Moscow’s influence? And as U.S. observers draw parallels between Babiš and Trump, what could this election mean for transatlantic politics and the broader populist wave sweeping Europe?


Check out these sources that helped shape our expert’s discussion: 

https://www.rferl.org/a/babis-czech-election-victory-brussels-kyiv-eu/33550348.html 


https://www.politico.eu/article/five-key-takeaways-from-the-czech-election/ 


https://www.politico.eu/article/czech-elections-president-petr-pavel-nato-eu-cabinet-talks-andrej-babis/ 


https://x.com/AmbDanFried/status/1974536514785947896 


@marthamillerdc

@AndyKeiser


Like what we're doing here? 


Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 


And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/zGHVh4zlBJM 


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

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1 month ago
13 minutes 35 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 510: Hostages, Hardlines, and Hope in Egypt

Today, Morgan, Jamil, Les, and Marc discuss the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Egypt—talks that come just before the second anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks. Hamas has reportedly agreed in principle to release the remaining hostages and relinquish control of Gaza, while Israel would scale back to earlier positions. But with both sides signaling changes on the margins, questions remain about whether a real deal is on the table or just diplomatic theater.


Is this the closest we’ve come to ending the war in Gaza, or another false start? How much pressure is Trump’s administration exerting behind the scenes and is his approach of public pressure and private deal-making actually working? If a ceasefire does take hold, what comes next for Israel’s security, Hamas’s political future, and the regional actors now lining up behind Trump’s plan?


@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@jamil_n_jaffer

@WashingtonFlack


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And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/wp-QR68OzDQ 


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

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1 month ago
9 minutes 35 seconds

Fault Lines
Episode 509: Pentagon Under Pressure

Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Algene break down a week of developments at the Pentagon. Amidst a rebrand, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gathered nearly 800 top generals and admirals from across the world for a headline-grabbing meeting in Virginia. At the same time, the current federal shutdown has left military pay uncertain, stalled defense contracting, and cut back intelligence and cyber staff. And with new requirements for NDAs and random polygraphs, questions are growing about whether these measures enhance security or risk undermining trust and transparency.


Was Hegseth’s Quantico meeting a culture reset or a show of control? How does the government shutdown impact defense readiness and U.S. credibility abroad? Are Pentagon press limits about protecting government secrets or shutting down the rumor mill?


@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@NotTVJessJones

@algenesajery


Like what we're doing here? 

 

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 

 

And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Algene break down a week of developments at the Pentagon. Amidst a rebrand, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gathered nearly 800 top generals and admirals from across the world for a headline-grabbing meeting in Virginia. At the same time, the current federal shutdown has left military pay uncertain, stalled defense contracting, and cut back intelligence and cyber staff. And with new requirements for NDAs and random polygraphs, questions are growing about whether these measures enhance security or risk undermining trust and transparency.


Was Hegseth’s Quantico meeting a culture reset or a show of control? How does the government shutdown impact defense readiness and U.S. credibility abroad? Are Pentagon press limits about protecting government secrets or shutting down the rumor mill?


@lestermunson

@marthamillerdc

@NotTVJessJones

@algenesajery


Like what we're doing here? 

 

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. 

 

And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!


We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/OYpLPfRROwE


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

Show more...
1 month ago
11 minutes 22 seconds

Fault Lines

Fault Lines, the National Security Institute’s flagship podcast, gets you quickly up to speed, three-times-a-week, on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America.


Our regular cast of foreign policy experts includes NSI Deputy Executive Director Martha Miller, NSI Senior Fellows Lester Munson and Morgan Viña, and Director of the NSI CTC - Howard University Cybersecurity Clinic Jessica Jones. 


Tune in to learn more about the issues dominating headlines and the news stories you may have missed.


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