Fault Lines

Today, Jess, Morgan, Bishop, and Jeffrey discuss Georgia’s recent parliamentary election that saw the pro-Russian ruling party Georgian Dream come out on top and keep its majority. However, Georgia’s pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili stated that she did not recognize the results of the election, that the country fell victim to a “Russian special operation,” and protests have seized Tbilsi, the capital.  A partial recount was announced yesterday.What do we make of allegations of Russian interference in Georgia’s election? What does this election and Georgia’s bid for EU membership signify for geopolitics?  What can Western countries do in response to this election?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/georgia-russia-election-european-union-8f040cb30e1d9c9e778383cbcbb7b2c1 https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/georgia-conducts-partial-vote-recount-after-reports-polling-irregularities-2024-10-29/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/27/world/europe/republic-of-georgia-election.html https://www.politico.eu/article/georgia-polling-election-showdown-dream-party-votes-europe-candidates/ https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/10/28/georgia-election-results-georgian-dream-dispute-eu-russia-protests/ https://www.rferl.org/amp/georgia-election-protests-russia-eu/33176435.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@morganlroach@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/ZzvEpJJRMzY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Jess, Morgan, and Les discuss Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Iran in response to Iran's October 1st launch of over 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel. The targets of Israel’s retaliatory strike included Russian-supplied air defenses and military infrastructure, including a secretive military base that has been linked to Tehran’s nuclear weapons program and another base tied to its ballistic missile program.Did the Biden Administration exert any influence on Israeli targeting decisions? What does the restrained messaging from both sides in the aftermath mean? Will these strikes make Iran more dependent on its weakening proxies?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-attack-satellite-photos-gaza-lebanon-wars-0c6ee6a8544268612cb7d49727d8449dhttps://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israeli-strikes-on-iran-expose-gap-in-prowess-between-two-arch-foes-aded7cf8?st=cZQewc&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-security-council-expected-meet-monday-over-israels-strike-iran-diplomats-say-2024-10-27/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/satellite-photos-show-israel-hit-iran-missile-fuel-mixing-facilities-researchers-2024-10-26/ https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-war-attack-retaliation-analysis-80a619146abd4f8aee2a7776a8f134d1 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/9YiRhMP1mZA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, Jeffrey, and Andy discuss reports that there’s evidence North Korea has dispatched 3,000 troops to Russia in a potential escalation of the nearly 3-year-old war with Ukraine. They also discuss a Wall Street Journal exclusive report that Russia through its intermediary Iran gave targeting information to Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been targeting and disrupting commercial shipping in transit in the Red Sea. Is the presence of North Korean troops in Russia an indicator of things going well for Russia? Is the Biden Administration handling the global situation well? Does the international rules-based order lack strong leadership?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/10/24/putin-russia-north-korea-troops/ https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-provided-targeting-data-for-houthi-assault-on-global-shipping-eabc2c2b?mod=hp_lead_pos1 https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-north-korea-war-735ab717dcf92a718adcb68bfbddc653 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@AndyKeiserLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/xf_LuHyrGio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Martha, Jess, and Les discuss the ongoing 16th annual BRICS summit hosted in Kazan, Russia. The three-day summit welcomes its newest members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as well as the UN Secretary-General. The Kremlin touted the summit as “the largest foreign policy event ever held” by Russia.How concerned should the United States and our allies and partners be about BRICS’ influence? What is the incentive for countries to join BRICS? Do these countries, as well as the UN Secretary-General, attending the BRICS summit give Russian President Vladimir Putin legitimacy?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.reuters.com/world/xi-modi-discuss-ukraine-war-with-putin-brics-considers-expansion-2024-10-23/ https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-brics-summit-china-india-d672be9b1ec2ffd0fba608e8a6aca790 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/21/world/europe/russia-china-brics.html https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/22/russias-brics-summit-whats-on-the-agenda-and-why-does-it-matter https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/21/europe/putin-russia-iran-china-brics-hnk-intl/index.html https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3ylwg4eqo https://www.economist.com/international/2024/10/20/putins-plan-to-defeat-the-dollar Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc @NotTVJessJones@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/6jHUtX8QYWs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Les, Amy, and Jeffrey discuss two pivotal elections that took place Sunday in Moldova. The first was the Presidential election, where current pro-western President Maia Sandu won the first round but did not win an outright majority, setting the stage for a run-off election with a pro-Russian candidate. The second vote was on a referendum enshrining EU accession into the Moldovan constitution, which passed by a razor-thin margin.What do elections in Moldova mean for geopolitics? Do Moldovans worry that they may become another Ukraine? Were the outcomes of these votes a surprise given Russian efforts to influence them?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/moldova-elections-eu-referendum-russia-325cb2c13beb1d76565a6e2aadef971a https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/world/europe/moldova-election-russia-eu.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/how-russia-targeting-moldovas-path-eu https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia-poses-long-term-threats-moldova%E2%80%99s-european-integration-beyond-october-elections https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/19/moldova-election-protection-biden-russia-00184429 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@amykmitchellLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/CtxMNEG4urw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Jess, and Bishop discuss the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the chief architect of last year’s attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces killed Sinwar during a strike in Gaza, Israel’s government confirmed Thursday night. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu did not indicate that Sinwar’s killing signaled the climax of Israel’s assault on Gaza, as he vowed to bring hostages home. However, many hope it opens the door to peace.What are the impacts of Sinwar’s death on the War in Gaza and potential peace talks? How will Palestinians respond to Sinwar’s death? Will there be wider regional implications due to Sinwar’s death?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/17/world/israel-lebanon-iran-gaza-news?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&tgrp=cpy&pvid=5DDFF1AD-803D-42D5-BA43-F761AA03A69B https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-killed-hamas-leader-yahya-sinwar-gaza/ https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-lebanon-hezbollah-news-10-17-2024-d12ca71945313e601cf10876072f4182 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJones@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/5ydVzFvg0ro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Martha, and Jeffrey discuss Israel’s response, or lack thereof, to Iran’s missile attack earlier this October. The Biden Administration believes it has won assurances from Israel that it will not hit Iranian nuclear or oil sites as it looks to strike back against Iran. However, the Biden Administration recently demanded that Israel take steps in the next month to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential restrictions on U.S. military aid.Are these demands political posturing for domestic audiences by the White House? Does the United States have any influence over Israeli actions?  Is it ethical to politicize critical national security issues?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484deehttps://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/world/middleeast/oil-prices-israel-iran-attacks.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb&ngrp=mnp&pvid=56EB71F1-82A2-4CD1-BEDA-A0531A9D115Bhttps://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-gives-israel-30-days-improve-gazas-humanitarian-situation-or-risk-aid-reports-2024-10-15/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/10/15/letter-to-congressional-leadership-providing-an-update-on-developments-in-the-middle-east-and-the-u-s-governments-response/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@NotTVJessJonesLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/PbFTsCDxjaA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Jeffrey, Martha, and Morgan discuss increasing tensions on the Korean peninsula as North Korea has accused South Korea of flying drones and dropping anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang.  North Korea threatened to respond with force and says its front-line army units are ready to launch strikes on South Korea if the drone flights continue.Are these claims saber-rattling or a true escalation? Why are South Korean leaflets getting Kim Jong Un so mad?  Is the timing of Kim’s fiery rhetoric and the upcoming U.S. presidential election a coincidence?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-south-drones-attack-threat-border-d1b2e42665fba63dbf4cf2f36a96f5f5https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/11/asia/north-korea-south-drones-pyongyang/index.html https://apnews.com/article/north-south-korea-drones-c923535e6f414674593d74ff935adf41 https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-roads-destroy-tensions-drones-072433677101dc38e30bb65f908ec631 https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3282158/kim-jong-uns-sister-warns-south-korea-horrible-disaster Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/g0tECKdDrIY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Matt, Amy, and Jeffrey discuss the historic handover of sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Backed by the White House, the United Kingdom agreed to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands after 13 rounds of negotiations over the former African colony. Importantly, the UK will retain control of the UK-US Diego Garcia military base for an initial period of 99 years. However, critics argue this move is a victory for Chinese interests in the Indo-Pacific.What are the impacts of this handover on U.S. interests in the region? Will this handover set a precedent in the use of lawfare by our adversaries? How will future administrations handle the soft and hard power changes as a result of this handover?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.politico.eu/article/republicans-us-washington-chagos-islands-deal-china-security/ https://www.newsweek.com/diego-garcia-news-uk-mauritius-chagos-islands-agreement-us-base-indian-ocean-1963650 https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/10/09/uk-chagos-islands-mauritius-diego-garcia-last-colony/ https://breakingdefense.com/2024/10/despite-hold-on-diego-garcia-uks-move-to-return-chago-islands-sparks-security-concerns/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@WMattHayden @amykmitchellLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/pxap170DOdQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Les discuss MI5’s latest threat report, in which the UK’s spy chief outlined that Britain is facing a “staggering rise” in attempts at assassination, sabotage, and other crimes on UK soil by Russia and Iran, as the two states recruit criminals to “do their dirty work,” amid a rise in terrorist threats to the European continent by a resurgent ISIS and Al-Qaeda. How can the United States and our allies respond to these kinetic and active threats? What have been the failures of successive presidential administrations to address these threats? Is the global war on terror truly over?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://apnews.com/article/uk-intelligence-mi5-threats-russia-iran-936d7c24d303ffea41f6b1cef7c7b814https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-mi5-spy-chief-details-security-threats-facing-uk-2024-10-08/ https://www.reuters.com/world/man-convicted-hostile-reconnaissance-london-based-tv-channel-critical-iran-2023-12-20/ https://apnews.com/article/germany-russia-spying-military-officer-305ee23eb4677f3215c9e3560945a0d9 https://apnews.com/article/sweden-iran-israel-criminal-gangs-proxy-d50a17efab629a585e281854d3e11407 https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-berlin-fire-diehl-behind-arson-attack-on-factory/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/Vm_v73sEmek Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.