Fault Lines

Today, Martha, Les, and Matt discuss the most dangerous escalation in Southeast Asia in over a decade. A deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia—long simmering over disputed territory and sacred temples—has erupted into full-scale fighting. Over just five days, artillery, rockets, and airstrikes left 36 dead and hundreds injured, with civilians fleeing on both sides. President Trump issued an unprecedented economic threat: a 36% tariff on all Thai and Cambodian exports if the conflict doesn’t cease by August 1. The move jolted both economies and raised questions about how American trade power might be used to prevent regional wars.What does this border conflict say about the limits of diplomacy and economic pressure? Will Trump’s tariff ultimatum succeed where international mediation has failed? And how should the U.S. balance its strategic interests in Southeast Asia as great power rivalries heat up?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/world/asia/thailand-cambodia-ceasefire-talks.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/thailand-and-cambodia-consider-cease-fire-after-calls-with-trump-on-border-clashes-5c22f92e Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@lestermunson@WMattHaydenLike 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://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL46I6ct71LWNXufqKnmsbiwAhqo8d5jPL  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Martha, and Morgan discuss the intensifying controversy over food aid delivery in Gaza. With hunger surging and global criticism mounting, attention has turned to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—a special-purpose entity backed by Israel and the U.S. to deliver aid without empowering Hamas. While Israel has announced daily 10-hour ceasefires to allow more deliveries, many international observers, including the UN and several allied governments, argue the system is failing. Accusations that aid isn’t reaching Palestinian civilians are fueling tension between Israel and its closest partners.Is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation a workable solution—or a flawed model for crisis response? Will mounting criticism from allies like the UK shift U.S. policy on aid delivery? And with hostage talks stalled and the humanitarian situation worsening, what role can—or should—the U.S. play now?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike 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/MCGcw6YiPU8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Morgan, Martha, Les, and Matt break down Trump’s AI Action Plan, unveiled Wednesday with significant fanfare and the backing of top tech leaders. The plan includes three executive orders and outlines 90 federal actions across three pillars: accelerating innovation, building AI infrastructure, and asserting global leadership in diplomacy and security.Why does AI matter so much now—and why does Trump want his name on it? As Secretary of State Rubio put it, “winning the AI race is non-negotiable.” With economic, military, and geopolitical stakes this high, Trump’s market-driven, industry-friendly strategy marks a clear departure from the Biden administration’s safety-first regulatory approach. Is this the edge the U.S. needs to stay ahead of China—or a gamble with long-term consequences?Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: https://www.ai.gov/action-plan Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@marthamillerdc@lestermunson@WMattHaydenLike 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/5MfyevBpL0M  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Matt discuss the Trump administration’s announcement that the U.S. will withdraw from UNESCO by the end of 2026. This marks the third such exit in recent history—first under President Reagan in 1984, again under Trump’s first administration, and now once more over concerns of anti-Israel bias and support for “divisive" causes. The decision raises broader questions: Are global institutions like UNESCO advancing U.S. interests—or have they become vehicles for adversarial influence? Is complete withdrawal the best strategy, or is there a more effective way to protect American values while staying at the table?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@lestermunson@morganlroach@WMattHaydenLike 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/PijAGX8-dmY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Morgan, Bishop, Amy, and Marc break down the latest high-stakes prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Venezuela. Ten Americans held by the Maduro regime were released in exchange for more than 200 Venezuelans via the CECOT Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador.Is this a foreign policy win for the Trump administration—or a dangerous precedent that raises the price on the heads of Americans abroad? Could this deal mark the beginning of a U.S.-Venezuela thaw, or will Maduro use it for political gain? And what are the human rights and national security implications of using large-scale deportations as diplomatic leverage?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@morganlroach@amykmitchell@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/EQZxmtnupLI  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A dramatic shift in U.S. military strategy towards Ukraine is unveiled, where European allies will purchase U.S.-made weapons, including Patriot missiles. This move is set to boost NATO stockpiles and aid Ukraine while steering clear of direct taxpayer funding. The discussion dives into Trump's new ultimatum for a ceasefire, and the implications for Russia and his MAGA base. How will this new approach reconcile with his 'no more wars' promise? Plus, insights on the political dynamics in Washington regarding sanctions and ongoing Russian aggression.

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Matt turn their attention to Sudan, where a civil war that began in 2023 has killed more than 150,000 people and displaced 14 million, driving the country to widespread collapse. With foreign powers backing both sides of the conflict—from Iran and Egypt to the UAE and remnants of Russia’s Wagner Group—the war has become a flashpoint for global power competition and humanitarian catastrophe.What national security interests does the U.S. have in Sudan—and what are the consequences when Washington steps back? What changes do we see to America's broader approach to Africa? And could President Trump’s ties in the Gulf position him as a broker for peace?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/15/sudan-civil-war-catastrophe-washington/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/15/sudan-paramilitary-forces-kill-almost-300-in-village-raids-say-lawyers https://www.foxnews.com/world/peacemaker-trump-can-end-africas-biggest-war-says-former-white-house-advisor Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@morganlroach@WMattHaydenLike 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/Bkbhwh2Nrt0  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Martha and Les bring you a very special episode of Fault Lines, recorded live at Max’s Steakhouse in Prague with an international group of fans, listeners, and a cameo from NSI Founder and Executive Director, Jamil Jaffer. From Czech locals to Americans abroad, the team fielded sharp questions about the future of NATO-style alliances in Asia, the direction of U.S. sanctions policy, and Russia’s financing of war through African gold. The live audience also raised timely questions about press freedom, the future of global conflict, and what comes next for U.S. policy in the Middle East, Russia, and beyond.Will the Quad or AUKUS ever evolve into a true multilateral security framework? Can U.S. pressure on Russia—through both sanctions and global alliances—actually shift the tide in Ukraine? And does the growing web of cyberattacks and shadow alliances already mean we’re in a new kind of global conflict?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this very special episode of Fault Lines.Follow our experts on Twitter: @marthamillerdc@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/3qqUHHK6zk0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 475: Ceasefire Shattered – The Houthis Strike AgainToday, Morgan, Bishop, Jessica, and Algene discuss the return of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, just weeks after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The Iran-backed group has ramped up strikes on commercial ships, most recently hitting a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel with a rocket-propelled grenade and kidnapping several crew members. It’s the second ship sunk in a week – part of a broader campaign targeting nearly 70 merchant vessels since late 2023.Is the ceasefire dead, and can the U.S. restore deterrence at sea? Are the Houthis expanding Iran’s influence under the cover of the Gaza conflict? And what does this mean for global trade and regional stability?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3071vp2d8yo?utm_source=semafor Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@BishopGarrison@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/1QH1Y5NyeMo  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Bishop, and Amy break down the latest twist in U.S.-Ukraine policy after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused a critical weapons shipment — reportedly without the White House’s knowledge. The abrupt delay blindsided Ukraine, Congress, the State Department, and European allies. Days later, President Trump reversed the decision following a tense call with Putin and an escalation of Russian drone attacks on Kyiv.What does this erratic decision-making mean for Ukraine’s defense as Russia’s summer offensive approaches? Does President Trump’s growing frustration with Putin reflect a real shift in his stance? And how are allies interpreting the gap between Trump’s rhetoric and his actions?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/hegseth-halted-weapons-ukraine-military-analysis-aid-wouldnt-jeopardiz-rcna216790?oref=d_brief_nl&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20D%20Brief:%20July%2007%2C%202025&utm_term=newsletter_d1_dbrief   https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-told-zelensky-he-wasnt-responsible-for-weapons-holdup-f684444b?st=zMtutV https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/hegseth-did-not-inform-white-house-ukraine-weapons-pause https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/07/trump-ukraine-weapons-shipments/ https://www.axios.com/2025/07/08/trump-putin-bullshit-sanctions-ukraine Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@amykmitchell@BishopGarrisonLike 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/n8NAy3poGZ4  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.