Fault Lines

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the recent Washington Post story in which anonymous Defense Department officials express frustration with what they consider an incoherent strategy by the Biden Administration for countering attacks by Iranian proxies on US forces in Iraq and Syria.  “There’s no clear definition of what we are trying to deter,” said one defense official.  In an oped over the weekend, President Biden attempted to outline his foreign policy in the wake of the War in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas War without once mentioning Iran. What should U.S. deterrence policy look like? Is our current strategy effective at preventing a wider conflict? and How do we ensure U.S. personnel are safe overseas?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/19/iranian-proxy-attacks-us-troops/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/iranian-proxies-continue-targeting-us-troops-syria-iraq-total-since-pentagonhttps://thehill.com/opinion/international/4314271-the-u-s-is-finally-hitting-back-at-irans-murderous-proxies/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/esper-us-military-strikes-against-iranian-proxies-syria https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/18/joe-biden-gaza-hamas-putin/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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at APEC 2023 in San Francisco, the first face-to-face meeting in over a year and Xi’s first visit to the U.S. in six years. The talks aimed to normalize relations at a time when the relationship between the U.S. in China has been fraught with tension. Topics discussed during the summit included re-establishing military-to-military communications, stopping fentanyl precursors from being shipped to the US, and sending us more pandas! Shortly after the summit, though, President Biden (accurately) referred to President Xi as a dictator and many issues, including Chinese threats to Taiwan and IP theft and US export controls.Was this summit all talk, or will we see a real reset? Is China’s effort to force the US to support reunification likely to make things more tense?  Should we take a harder line with China diplomatically?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.npr.org/2023/11/16/1213401317/did-biden-and-chinas-xi-hit-a-reset-not-quite-but-they-did-agree-on-a-few-thingshttps://thehill.com/policy/international/4313668-xi-gets-standing-ovation-at-banquet-with-us-executives/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/us/politics/biden-xi-china-power-balance.htmlhttps://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/16/biden-xi-dictator-00127548Follow 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Morgan discuss the third U.S. air strike in Syria, which occurred late on Sunday. These strikes come after at least 40 attacks against U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed forces in recent weeks. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III told reporters, "These attacks must stop, and if they don't stop, then we won't hesitate to do what's necessary, again, to protect the troops." Austin said the latest air strikes in targeted facilities used by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and related groups.Will the U.S. continue or ramp up strikes against Iranian-back proxies? Will these strikes effectively deter attacks on U.S. and coalition personnel? Is the Biden Administration overly concerned with potentially escalating the conflict?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/12/us-airstrikes-iran-syria/ https://www.reuters.com/world/us-hints-more-strikes-unless-iran-linked-groups-halt-attacks-2023-11-13/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@notTVJessJones@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 275: Beijing-Biden Bay Area ShowdownToday, Les, Morgan and Andy discuss the APEC Summit that will be taking place in San Francisco, CA. The big news is that there will be a face-to-face meeting between President Biden, and China’s President Xi Jinping. However, China has been aggressive in the South China Sea, flying within 10 feet of American pilots, distracting American pilots with lasers, and conducting aggressive cyber-attacks against the U.S, and yet the Biden administration is advocating for stronger US-China military-military (mil-mil) relationship. Are better mil-mil communications a ‘win’ for the Biden Administration? What are the Biden Administration’s achievements with negotiating with China ahead of the APEC Summit? What will the Biden Administration be able to achieve with President Biden’s and President Xi’s face-to-face meeting?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.wsj.com/world/china/what-it-took-to-get-biden-and-xi-to-the-table-b7a899c9https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/10/us/politics/biden-xi-meeting.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/business/economy/xi-jinping-american-business-leaders-dinner.htmlFollow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@morganlroach@AndyKeiserLike 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, Morgan, and special guest John Lipsey all sit down together - in person! - to discuss America’s stolen pandas and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) recent loan of $550 million to Sri Lanka to support the construction of a deep-water shipping terminal. This loan is a recent example of DFC’s efforts to support the building of global infrastructure, while also supporting U.S. foreign policy. What’s the difference between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and America’s DFC lending? Can the US DFC compete with China’s BRI globally? Should we have let China take back our pandas?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/giant-pandas-depart-smithsonians-national-zoo-and-conservation-biology-institute-for-chinahttps://www.dfc.gov/media/press-releases/dfc-makes-more-91-billion-financial-commitments-fiscal-year-2023https://www.csis.org/analysis/mission-creep-development-finance-corporationhttps://fortune.com/2023/11/08/us-dfc-china-belt-and-road-553m-investment-sri-lanka-colombo-port/Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroach@JohnCLipseyLike 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 Ukrainian President Zelenksy's decision to rule out holding presidential elections next year even though his 5-year term ends in March 2024. With millions displaced internally or abroad, hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting on the frontlines, and the country under constant threat of Russian attacks, the possibility of administering a free, safe, and secure election seems nearly impossible.Is it possible to administer an election without U.S. aid to Ukraine? Will the absence of democratic elections in Ukraine erode already decreasing support in Congress to provide more aid? Will Zelensky foes use his decision to attack him and Ukraine's commitment to democracy?Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://thehill.com/policy/international/4296123-ukraine-russia-war-volodymyr-zelensky-not-the-right-time-elections/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-birthday-grenade-b1b82e4f84eb5a39286d1500cf49fcd1https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/11/07/exp-zelensky-ukraine-elections-110704aseg1-cnni-world.cnnhttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-elections-war.htmlhttps://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democracy-and-society/elections-in-times-of-war-6980/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.

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.