Fault Lines

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.

Today, Jessica, Morgan, and Andy discuss the recent suspicious damage to a Finnish gas pipeline and telecommunications cable, both of which run under the Baltic Sea.  On Thursday, Finland's intelligence services said that a “state actor” could be responsible for the pipeline damage but didn't speculate on who might be involved. Is Putin responsible for the possible sabotage of the undersea pipeline and cable? What do we think NATO’s response will be, if any, if it is confirmed Russia was involved? How does this story relate to Turkey and Hungary stalling Sweden’s accession to NATO? 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.politico.eu/article/finland-gas-pipeline-damage-state-actor-balticconnector-antti-pelttari/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/finland-cant-rule-out-state-actor-involvement-pipeline-damage-intelligence-chief-2023-10-12/ https://apnews.com/article/finland-russia-nato-intelligence-ukraine-6605170fd8c06de7ad212d47676f4fa8 Follow our experts on Twitter:  @notTVJessJones @morganlroach @AndyKeiser 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, Morgan, Les, NSI Senior Fellow Andy Keiser, and NSI Fellow Martha Miller discuss the latest on the Israel-Hamas war, as well as Iran's role in the conflict. How should the U.S. provide assistance to Israel? Should Congress combine aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan? How have Russia and Iran colluded to increase their sphere of influence? 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.wsj.com/world/middle-east/biden-walks-fine-line-in-israel-conflict-916774e2 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-deaths-killings.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson @morganlroach @marthamillerdc @AndyKeiser 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, Morgan, Les, NSI Senior Fellow Andrew Borene, and NSI Fellow Martha Miller discuss recent developments on the Hamas attack on Israel. Will Congress begin funding for Israel when aid to Ukraine has been stalled? Did President Biden's desperation for an Iran nuclear deal influence this attack? What are the next steps for the United States? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 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://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/live-blog/rcna119435  Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson @morganlroach @marthamillerdc @AndrewBorene 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, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss former speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy's removal and what this means for Congress and the U.S. moving forward, in particular, for future U.S. support for Ukraine.  Who will be the next speaker of the House? Should world leaders be worried or is this just U.S. politics? Has the Biden Administration been doing enough to garner public support for Ukraine?  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/2023/10/05/us/politics/speaker-mccarthy-biden-democracy.html https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4239184-house-speaker-turmoil-imperils-future-ukraine-funding/ Follow our experts on Twitter:   @NotTVJessJones @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.