Episode 540: The Holiday Special - Unwrapping 2025

Today, Jessica, Jamil, Morgan, Lester, Les, Lipsey, Matthew, and Marc take stock of a consequential year in U.S. national security. From President Trump’s push to brand himself as a “peace president”—highlighted by multiple diplomatic agreements and the Gaza peace plan—to moments of hard power, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, 2025 defied easy labels. The team reflects on undercovered but significant developments as well: the dismantling of the U.S. foreign assistance architecture, growing concern over advanced technology transfers to China, sweeping changes to the federal workforce through DOGE, and a renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere, particularly Venezuela and Haiti.

Looking ahead to 2026, what will ultimately shape U.S. national security: the trajectory of Ukraine, a recalibration of China policy, or the domestic pressures of a midterm election year? Are tariffs becoming a permanent tool of U.S. leverage or a temporary negotiating tactic? And as the administration continues to reshape how American power is exercised, which lessons from 2025 will matter most?

@jamil_n_jaffer

@nottvjessjones

@lestermunson

@WashingtonFlack

@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!

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

No Spin News Special: Bill O'Reilly vs. the Elite Players

Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis

Climate Policy Disagreement with Trump

The AI-powered Podcast Player