Fault Lines

Today, Jess, Les, Morgan, and John discuss last week’s terror attack in Moscow at the Crocus City complex, which killed more than 130 people. ISIS-K, an Afghanistan-based offshoot of ISIS, claimed responsibility for the deadliest terror attack in Russia in decades, and Russia formally charged four men on Sunday for committing terrorism.What does this terror attack do to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strongman image? Does ongoing the war in Ukraine leave Russia more vulnerable to terrorism? Does this attack indicate a renewed ISIS threat of global terrorism?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/europe/russia-mourns-victims-deadly-concert-hall-attack-2024-03-24/ https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/23/europe/moscow-attack-what-we-know-intl/index.html https://apnews.com/article/russia-attack-concert-hall-putin-islamic-state-f6f89c4c39965da6c11c3c111053f0e2 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/25/us/politics/moscow-attack-isis.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/03/24/world/moscow-russia-attack-news Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroach@JohnCLipseyLike 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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/iixOGRDkz4A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, John, and Morgan discuss the recent deal brokered by Russia and China with the Houthi rebels in Yemen for the safe passage of their ships through the Red Sea amidst their continuous attacks on commercial shipping in the region.How effective have U.S. and allied strikes against the Houthis been at deterring attacks on shipping? What are the implications of the Houthi attacks on the freedom of navigation? What role does the UN Security Council play in this conflict?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.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-21/china-russia-reach-agreement-with-yemen-s-houthis-on-red-sea-ships https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesfarrell/2024/03/21/houthis-reportedly-strike-deal-with-russia-china-for-safe-passage/?sh=40c9d48c4a6b https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2024/03/houthis-granting-china-russia-safe-passage-red-sea-centcom-says/395143/ https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-china-struck-deal-yemen-houthi-rebels-ship-safety/ https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/houthi-attacks-egypt-red-sea-economy/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@morganlroach@JohnCLipseyLike 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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/bVGQdo84tVA  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, John, Bishop, and Morgan discuss Turkey’s upcoming local elections on March 31st, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) seek to regain the key cities lost in 2019 of Istanbul and Ankara. If the AKP regains control, President Erdogan has pledged further constitutional reform. How will these local elections impact Turkish foreign policy? What is the Biden Administration’s role in working with transactional powers such as Turkey? What are the impacts of conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza on these local elections?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://foreignpolicy.com/2024/03/13/turkey-erdogan-elections-istanbul-ankara-local-akp/https://nationalinterest.org/feature/will-us-turkey-relations-survive-wars-gaza-and-ukraine-210040https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-says-turkey-firmly-backs-terror-group-hamas-compares-netanyahu-to-hitler/ https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-president-erdogan-upcoming-local-election-last/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @BishopGarrison@morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@JohnCLipseyLike 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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/1bnn5y9P9Ig Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, John, and Morgan discuss this weekend’s announcement by Niger’s junta that it was suspending military cooperation with Washington and ordering U.S. troops to leave the country.  This comes upon the heels of a coup last summer in Niger, the resulting restrictions on U.S. aid to the country, and recent stories that U.S. and Western intelligence show that Niger is exploring a deal to allow Iran access to its uranium reserves.What did last week’s visit to Niger by U.S. officials seek to accomplish? How can the United States refresh its approach to foreign policy with African states? Do the events in Niger indicate a diminishing influence of the United States in the region?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.wsj.com/world/africa/niger-once-key-u-s-counterterrorism-ally-ends-military-ties-7db66dbe https://apnews.com/article/niger-junta-us-military-base-b70bfba835a567d5f3439a32c9c82836https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/world/africa/niger-orders-american-troops-out.htmlhttps://www.voanews.com/a/niger-says-announces-end-to-military-cooperation-with-us/7530719.htmlhttps://www.voanews.com/a/iran-says-it-is-willing-to-help-niger-overcome-sanctions/7455787.html https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/west-african-ecowas-bloc-mulls-new-strategy-towards-junta-states-2024-02-24/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@JohnCLipseyLike 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, watch today's episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVN5gzkIKiw  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss this week’s Financial Times report that broke the news that the Biden Administration held secret talks with Iran this year to convince Tehran to use its influence to end Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. They also discuss Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s calls for Israel to hold new elections. Were Senator Schumer’s comments driven by the upcoming election? Can the United States truly have productive negotiations with Iran? Is the United States undermining a democratically elected government in Israel?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/schumer-netanyahu-israel-palestinians-elections-1ebf21e4c9c0f6f42478bb26e1db7a9b https://www.ft.com/content/89b01990-7657-45ea-baaa-1f214b40f1cbhttps://www.nbc4i.com/news/washington-dc/schumer-calls-for-new-elections-in-israel-criticizes-netanyahu/ https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2024/03/14/u-s-grants-iran-sanctions-waiver-worth-10-billion Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunson@morganlroach@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/UNPYQE2Hg0g Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Polish President Andrzej Duda’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders to lobby for U.S. support for Ukraine. President Duda also sent a message to his NATO allies by suggesting that NATO members should raise defense spending to 3% of GDP, above the 2% requirement that only a third of the alliance meet.Will President Duda’s pressure campaign sway the minds of U.S. policymakers on Ukraine aid? Will Duda’s aspirations for a more robust NATO defense posture actually deter Russian aggression? Has the West lost momentum when it comes to Ukraine aid?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/poland-us-ukraine-biden-white-house-66b04d8c3917be6fe5b9ea5e016f7f5b https://apnews.com/article/poland-nato-defense-duda-tusk-us-visit-f6d25e41709e9757f7d40ce33add74dehttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-11/poland-s-president-will-ask-biden-to-send-more-us-troops-to-protect-europe https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/12/us/politics/biden-poland-nato-duda-tusk.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/top-polish-leaders-visit-white-house-hoping-spur-108035014https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/11/europe/orban-trump-ukraine-intl/index.htmlhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-ukraine-dont-listen-to-mainstream-media-predictions-on-second-term-0a7589cd Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunson@morganlroach@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/lnx3TgXMtps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the deteriorating situation in Haiti where criminal gangs have burned police stations, closed the main international airports, and raided the country’s two biggest prisons releasing thousands of prisoners, while acting Prime Minister and President of Haiti, Ariel Henry, remains in Puerto Rico after being unable to return to Haiti after recent trip to Kenya to build support for a peacekeeping mission. Should the United States intervene directly in Haiti to restore order? Who will eventually come to power in Haiti? How will the situation in Haiti impact U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere?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.wsj.com/world/americas/the-ex-convict-aiming-to-take-power-in-haiti-f97e36e2https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/chaos-in-haiti-leaves-u-s-with-few-options-1a73b744https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/09/haiti-corpses-gangs/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/blinken-talks-kenyan-president-about-haiti-crisis-says-state-dept-2024-03-09/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/10/haiti-crisis-gangs-attack-police-stations-as-caribbean-leaders-call-for-emergency-meetinghttps://apnews.com/article/blinken-haiti-jamaica-prime-minister-gangs-ff6b76b6ba9a9d7b8f95fbf95a1d462c Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunson@morganlroach@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/zCICTzne2_s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss President Biden’s State of the Union address, where contrary to some expectations, President Biden delivered a fiery speech beginning with references to FDR’s 1941 State of the Union speech given as war raged across Europe, and then touching upon the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war. What were the Fault Lines team’s reactions to the State of the Union speech? Did President Biden beat the team’s expectations?  Did the President’s speech change the minds of Congress or American voters on aid to Ukraine?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/state-of-union-biden-gaza-ukraine-israel-1a42ff9d4ef3e0f2753e43ac8d39fc18https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/biden-state-of-the-union-address-2024/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/state-union-key-takeaways-biden-address-rcna140768https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/03/07/remarks-of-president-joe-biden-state-of-the-union-address-as-prepared-for-delivery-2/Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunson@morganlroach@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/6F4-nyC6a6o Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Israeli War Cabinet member and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz's visit to Washington, DC. Gantz met with Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza. What does this trip mean for the unity of the Israeli War Cabinet? Does Gantz's meeting with Vice President Harris indicate a shift in the Biden administration's handling of the war in Gaza? How do the domestic political situations of the United States and Israel impact the conflict? 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.axios.com/2024/03/05/israel-gaza-aid-benny-gantz-white-househttps://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2902527/benny-gantz-confronts-reports-hes-in-us-against-benjamin-netanyahus-wishes/#google_vignettehttps://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-790212https://www.timesofisrael.com/biden-aides-to-gantz-gaza-aid-convoy-disaster-shows-need-for-viable-post-war-plans/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunson@morganlroach@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/IWyeASqPySw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Morgan, and Jamil discuss Guyana’s recent diplomatic overtures towards Cuba amidst the ongoing Crisis between Guyana and Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region. These overtures include the Guyanese President Irfaan Ali calling for the dismantling of sanctions against Cuba, to the University systems of both countries agreeing to collaborate, among many others. Are these diplomatic overtures a play to counter Venezuela with their ally Cuba, or is this an attempt by Guyana to cozy up to Venezuela? Is the threat of Venezuela invading Guyana real, or just domestic messaging? Should the Biden Administration be playing a more active role in the region? 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://newsroom.gy/2024/03/01/president-ali-calls-for-dismantling-of-u-s-embargo-against-cuba/ https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/articulo/guyanas-media-publishes-support-international-community-cuba-un https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/articulo/universities-guyana-and-cuba-agree-cooperate https://havanatimes.org/features/cubas-curious-silence-on-the-essequibo-conflict/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/world/americas/venezuela-guyana.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunson@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, watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/1JeH1XK60zM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.