Fault Lines

Today, Jess, Jamil, Martha, and Les discuss the wave of Gen Z–led protests shaking governments across continents—from Madagascar and Nepal, where leaders have fled, to Indonesia and beyond.  Driven by unemployment, corruption, and economic strain, these youth movements are leveraging social media and grassroots organizing to challenge entrenched power structures and, in some cases, topple leaders.Are we seeing a new wave of youth-driven revolutions—a social-media-era sequel to the Arab Spring? What does growing instability in strategic regions like the Mozambique Channel mean for the U.S.? And how should Washington rethink its aid, training, and partnerships as political landscapes shift under generational pressure?Check out the sources that helped shape our experts’ discussion: https://apnews.com/article/madagascar-protests-rajoelina-ab1e1eb1aca45fe7e80e81314ebdb0c6 https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cqxr3y3788pt https://www.npr.org/2025/10/13/nx-s1-5573511/madagascar-president-flees-country-military-rebellion https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/oct/14/this-generation-is-defiant-gen-z-protests-set-to-resume-in-morocco-despite-deaths-and-arrests https://www.dw.com/en/gen-z-protests-why-are-asias-youth-so-angry/a-74349495 https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/protests-asia-gen-z-nepal-indonesia-rcna231096  @nottvjessjones@lestermunson@jamil_n_jaffer@marthamillerdcLike 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/t6dAKr7O_fU  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A significant breakthrough in the Israel-Hamas peace process sparks discussions about its impact on U.S. foreign policy under Trump. The team analyzes the potential for renewed American influence in the Middle East and how this model could be applied to conflicts like Ukraine and U.S.-China relations. Trump's unique approach to diplomacy—with high visibility and the involvement of close advisors—is scrutinized, pondering its effectiveness in unpredictable global landscapes. The intrigue of using military resolve to shape outcomes is also explored.

The hosts dive into the complexities of the Israel-Hamas peace agreement, emphasizing the intricacies of hostage exchanges and Israeli withdrawals from Gaza. They explore Jared Kushner's renewed diplomatic involvement and its implications for regional relations. Questions arise about Hamas’s potential disarmament and the sustainability of the ceasefire. Will U.S. pressure ensure compliance from both sides? The discussion is rich with insights on how this moment could reshape ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

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.