Fault Lines

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@AndyKeiserLike 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.

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@WashingtonFlackLike 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/wp-QR68OzDQ  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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@algenesajeryLike 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@algenesajeryLike 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.

The panel dissects the new Gaza peace plan, revealing its 20-point framework that includes an Arab peacekeeping force and a governing council excluding Hamas. Trump's involvement raises both hopes and stakes. While some argue it effectively pressures Hamas, others question if it's just a familiar repackaging of old proposals. The discussion heats up as they consider whether this could spark renewed conflict or lead to a settlement, alongside playful banter about Trump's Nobel prospects amidst shifting Arab support for the plan.

Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Jess discuss the snapback of sanctions on Iran, nearly a decade after the JCPOA was signed. Despite Russian and Iranian attempts to block the move, pre-deal sanctions have been restored with support from Germany, France, and the UK. Tehran denounced the action as illegal and recalled its ambassadors, even as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to downplay the impact. Washington and the EU piled on with additional sanctions, raising the question: will renewed pressure shift Tehran’s behavior, or are we back where we were in 2015?If U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program were truly successful, why are sanctions still needed? And while sanctions have, at times, seemed to slow Iran’s nuclear ambitions, they haven’t stopped Tehran outright. What’s the broader strategy here? Can sanctions be more than a stopgap measure or will Iran’s nuclear program and alignment with Russia continue to advance despite international pressure?Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crme84w3n23o @marthamillerdc@morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@lestermunsonLike 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/30jQ2Ew5yW8  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Jeffrey, Andy, and Jess break down President Trump’s meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan following a busy week on the international stage. At the center of the talks: Turkey’s push to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program after being expelled during Trump’s first term for buying Russia’s S-400 air defense system. While the tone was more conciliatory than in past years, no concrete commitments emerged — leaving open questions about Turkey’s role as a NATO ally and U.S. partner.What does Turkey actually want from Washington, and what should the U.S. demand in return? Can Erdoğan rebuild trust without giving up the S-400? Should Trump leverage Turkey’s bid for NATO influence to extract concessions on Hamas, Israel, and Eastern Mediterranean disputes? And does letting Ankara back into the F-35 program reward bad behavior, or offer an opportunity to lock in long-term strategic gains?Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8jm3lr7vkyo @morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@andykeiserJeffrey WellsLike 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/62rUpUuOl48  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts dive into President Trump's theatrical speech at the UN, debating its substance versus showmanship. They explore his comments on NATO and Ukraine, pondering if this hints at a shift in U.S. foreign policy. The discussion reveals the impact of one-on-one diplomacy during the UN week, likening it to 'diplomatic speed dating'. Highlights also include viral moments from the event, underscoring the blend of international relations and performance art that defined the gathering.

Today, Les, Jamil, Andy, and Jess unpack a dangerous new escalation on NATO’s flank: three Russian MiG-31s flew through Estonian airspace for several minutes on Friday, a violation Tallinn says it can prove even as Moscow denies the incident and accuses Estonia of provocation. NATO jets — including Italian F-35s and fighters from Sweden and Finland — scrambled in response. The incursion follows recent Russian drone overflights of Poland and Romania and comes amid an uptick in attacks inside Ukraine, raising alarms across Europe about Moscow’s willingness to push boundaries.How should the U.S. and NATO respond to airspace violations that creep toward Article 5 thresholds? Is the right answer a sharper military posture — more weapons and patrols for Ukraine and Baltic defenses — or tighter economic and diplomatic pressure? And with allies in Europe calling for stronger action, will Washington elevate its response or risk encouraging further Russian probing?Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions: https://apnews.com/article/british-intelligence-mi6-russia-war-443df0c37ff2254fcc33d5425e3beaa6 @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer@andykeiserLike 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/fFOZtOwjq90  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Bishop, and Marc break down President Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom. The visit featured the largest military honor guard ever assembled for such an occasion, alongside announcements of major U.S. private-sector investments in UK industry from Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir, and others. Was this visit a substantive step forward in the U.S.-UK “special relationship,” or more pageantry than progress? How significant are the tech partnerships and investment pledges for the UK’s economy—and what do they signal about AI and tech regulation going forward? With many of the agreements still “aspirational,” how much weight should we give to this moment of symbolism and transatlantic continuity?Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions: https://apnews.com/article/trump-uk-state-visit-starmer-chequers-bc9088873ab7fc481c7163d60fe4da98https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-invokes-churchill-special-relationship-questions-over-uk-free-speech-grow https://www.npr.org/2025/09/18/nx-s1-5544343/trump-starmer-press-conference@morganlroach@bishopgarrison@WashingtonFlackLike 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/W1_gepPYqSg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts dive into U.S. military strikes against Venezuelan gang boats, marking a stark escalation in the drug war. They debate the effectiveness of preemptive military action versus traditional law enforcement. The discussion raises questions about America's security priorities amid global challenges from China and Russia. Additionally, they explore potential impacts on U.S.-Venezuela relations and regional stability, while considering the risks of undermining cooperation with neighboring countries in tackling drug trafficking.