Fault Lines

Episode 272: Democratic Fault Lines on IsraelToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the Biden Administration’s current policies in the region, and how the Israel-Hamas war may affect President Biden’s campaign in 2024. The group also discusses recent comments made by former President Barack Obama and Democratic strategist David Axelrod on the Biden Presidency and its Middle East policies.Where does the current Democratic party stand on support for Israel? How might the Biden Administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas evolve as public and international support wanes? Who would even run for the Democratic nomination against President Biden?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/barack-obama-argues-all-of-us-are-complicit-in-israel-hamas-conflict-urges-acknowledgement-of-whole-truth/ar-AA1jqa5ghttps://news.yahoo.com/former-obama-strategist-wonders-biden-174227003.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/05/israel-war-hamas-gaza-live-news-palestine/#link-YH6Y4KSRIRGUXN2E2CRBK7K5BAhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/05/israel-war-hamas-gaza-live-news-palestine/#link-YH6Y4KSRIRGUXN2E2CRBK7K5BAhttps://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/05/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-middle-east-67324897https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/blinken-seeks-to-balance-aid-for-palestinian-civilians-against-israeli-self-defense-b2c442ecFollow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunsonLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Russia’s withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests. Moscow says its de-ratification of the CTBT is merely designed to bring Russia into line with the U.S., which signed but never ratified the treaty, while others worry Russia is seeking to intimidate and evoke fear. All the while China and the United States are about to begin talks about nuclear arms control and non-proliferation.  Is Russia’s withdrawal from the CTBT symbolic, saber-rattling, or about something else? Does the war in Ukraine, which is entering its second winter, play into Russia’s decision? Will the Biden Administration's talks with China lead to an agreement or is it just lip-service?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion:  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-revokes-russias-ratification-nuclear-test-ban-treaty-2023-11-02/ https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/test-ban-treaty-at-a-glancehttps://www.icanw.org/what_is_the_nuclear_test_ban_treaty_and_why_is_russia_talking_about_leaving?locale=en https://www.reuters.com/world/china-agrees-nuclear-arms-control-talks-with-us-wsj-2023-11-01/ https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/china-agrees-to-arms-control-talks-with-u-s-87a44b38 https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/us-nuclear-arsenal-can-deter-both-china-and-russia  Follow our experts on Twitter:  @notTVJessJones @jamil_n_jaffer  @lestermunson @morganlroach Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil and Morgan discuss the Biden Administration giving Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic the boot from a special US-Africa trade program - the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - due to Niger and Gabon’s dictatorial takeovers and CAR and Uganda’s violations of human rights.  AGOA is set to expire in 2025, and the geopolitical landscape both across Africa and in the U.S. is much different than when AGOA first passed in 2000.What does the future of AGOA and U.S.-Africa trade look like? What's our assessment of how President Biden and Congress is doing when it comes to Africa policies and programs? How can the Biden Administration reimagine U.S.-Africa relations?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-67236251https://www.csis.org/analysis/beyond-2025-future-african-growth-and-opportunity-acthttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/us/politics/niger-coup-biden-declaration.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/10/26/pepfar-funding-delays-hiv-abortion/Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Morgan and Martha discuss the Biden Admin’s approach to China all the while the world is seemingly ablaze. China has been behaving recklessly in the South China Sea, fentanyl is pouring out of China into the US, and pending on all of this is the meeting between President Biden and President Xi at the APEC Summit in San Francisco. How should President Biden approach this meeting with Xi? How should the Biden Administration handle the US-China relationship beyond this meeting? How does Gov. Newsom’s unfortunate effort in Beijing set the table for Biden?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/chinas-foreign-minister-says-road-san-francisco-summit-will-not-be-smooth-2023-10-29/https://apnews.com/article/china-usa-biden-wangyi-blinken-8e8928737f20ea092d226d5da08142f2https://www.wsj.com/world/china/u-s-worries-about-escalation-in-pacific-as-chinese-military-steps-up-confrontation-5fc06662Follow 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 @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 268: Naming and Shaming our Nearest and DearestToday, Morgan, Martha, Jamil and Andy discuss the challenges that NATO member Turkey and Major non-NATO ally Qatar present as they play both sides between the West and our adversaries and enemies in the context of the Israel-Hamas war. What was seemingly a unifying moment for the West, Turkey and Qatar said all the wrong things about the 10/7 terrorist attack on Israel. Should the United States hold Turkey and Qatar accountable for supporting our adversaries and enemies? How does Turkey’s position in NATO influence potential members joining the alliance in the future? When is the right time for the United States to tell Turkey and Qatar that they cannot keep playing both sides? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-says-hamas-is-not-terrorist-organisation-2023-10-25/https://www.timesofisrael.com/qatar-agrees-to-review-hamas-ties-after-gaza-hostage-situation-resolved-report/amp/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231019-hamas-qatar-office-in-spotlight-as-gaza-war-intensifieshttps://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/10/25/turkeys-erdogan-scraps-israel-trip-over-inhumane-gaza-warFollow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@andykeiser@marthamillerdc@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 267: Five Eyes: Are They Actually Watching…?Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil and Morgan discuss the recent broadcast of an unprecedented public gathering of the intelligence chiefs from the Five Eyes countries - the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The conversation focused on China’s aggressive intelligence gathering efforts and its theft of IP property, alongside other threats, occurring in the U.S. and the other Five Eyes countries. How concerned should Americans be about Chinese intelligence gathering? Are the Five Eyes taking the right measures to deter China? What more can the Biden Administration do to counter such aggressive intelligence gathering?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/more-from-five-eyes-intelligence-chiefs-warning-to-60-minutes/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/24/ahead-top-chinese-diplomats-us-visit-five-eyes-officials-call-attention-chinese-hacking/Follow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroachLike what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the former 3-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif’s return from his self-imposed exile, and lo’ and behold, even though he's banned from holding public office, his lawyers are confident he can be elected as the country's next Prime Minister. This comes as Pakistan is in its worst economic crisis ever, the previous Prime Minister is also facing corruption charges, a “caretaker” Prime Minister is making deals with China, and Sharif’s party is losing popularity all the while dealing with its own Taliban insurgency.  Is the Pakistan military giving Sharif the green light to run for Prime Minister? Who is really calling the shots in the Pakistan government? How might the chaotic hold-up in Congress benefit Pakistan?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-ready-boost-pakistan-ties-urges-security-guarantee-xi-2023-10-20/https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/is-nawaz-sharifs-return-a-deal-with-pakistan-military-establishment-649672/amphttps://www.ft.com/content/9811a65a-78cc-4afb-82e4-1032017d2300Follow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermusnon   Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the serious implications from disinformation and misinformation that came after the explosion at the Al-Ahli Hospital in the Gaza. What was originally reported as an Israeli Defense Force airstrike, turned out to actually be a misfired rocket by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. However, the blame had already been cast on Israel and riots and protests against Israel broke out across the globe as a result of the inaccurate reporting. What are the implications of rampant and rapid disinformation on social media? How can media prevent such inaccurate information from being disseminated? What is President Biden’s role in preventing the mass dissemination of false information?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.reuters.com/world/disinformation-surge-threatens-fuel-israel-hamas-conflict-2023-10-18/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/10/18/what-is-israels-narrative-on-the-gaza-hospital-explosionhttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/gaza-hospital-misinformation-israel-hamas_n_65301c34e4b00565b62290cc/ampFollow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@morganlroach@jamil_n_jaffer@lestermunsonLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 263: Biden’s Middle-East Diplomacy Put to the TestToday, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss President Biden’s visit to Israel. The group also assesses Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s “shuttle-diplomacy,” laying the groundwork for President Biden’s visit, and just how important this visit is for the administration’s Middle-East policy goals.  What will President Biden be able to accomplish with his visit? Will other Middle-Eastern countries be receptive to Biden’s diplomatic efforts? How do we grade Biden’s efforts thus far? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/17/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza/https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinianshttps://www.foxnews.com/opinion/3-things-us-must-israel-against-terrorist-hamashttps://www.wsj.com/articles/appeasing-iran-has-failed-biden-israel-hamas-e86e249cFollow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermusnon @morganlroach  Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 262: Israel-Hamas War: What’s Next? Today, Les, Jess, Jamil, and Morgan discuss the Israel-Hamas war heating up as the Israeli Defense Forces gear up for a potential ground invasion of Gaza. Estimates of civilian casualties are in the thousands. All the while, Hezbollah threatens Israel from the north, and two U.S. carrier strike groups have been moved to the east-Mediterranean to deter Hezbollah and Iran from widening the conflict.   What happens to Gaza once the Israeli invasion is completed? What does Israel need to do to prevent other actors from inserting themselves into the conflict? What is the US’ role in all of this? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines!  Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-invasion.htmlhttps://abcnews.go.com/International/exclusive-us-send-2nd-aircraft-carrier-eastern-mediterranean/story?id=103984246https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3551962/senior-defense-official-holds-a-background-briefing-on-us-force-posture-changes/Follow our experts on Twitter:  @jamil_n_jaffer@notTVJessJones@lestermusnon @morganlroach  Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.