Fault Lines

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the release of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s 2023 Annual Threat Assessment (ATA), a yearly report that lays out what the IC thinks are the critical challenges facing our nation in the year ahead.What are the major differences between the ODNI’s 2022 ATA and 2023 ATA? Does the ODNI’s ATA contain any surprises? Does the Fault Lines crew think the ODNI’s ATA report is too politicized? 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://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/ATA-2023-Unclassified-Report.pdf https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-worldwide-threats-hearing/ Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and Jamil discuss the kidnapping and deaths of Americans who crossed the U.S./Mexico border on Friday and, who, within hours, were abducted by gunmen. Two of them were killed before the two others were rescued Tuesday.Is a more militarized presence and a stricter travel advisory necessary in the aftermath of this kidnapping? Should cartels be labeled as terrorist organizations? How will this impact U.S./Mexico border relations moving forward?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://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/world/americas/americans-kidnapped-mexico.html https://www.wsj.com/articles/tamaulipas-governor-says-two-of-four-americans-kidnapped-in-matamoros-found-dead-e2bcce49 https://thehill.com/policy/international/3887479-graham-says-he-will-introduce-bill-to-set-the-stage-for-us-to-use-military-force-in-mexico/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-us-must-defeat-mexicos-drug-cartels-narco-terrorism-amlo-el-chapo-crenshaw-military-law-enforcement-b8fac731 Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and Jamil discuss Havana Syndrome, a mysterious ailment that has caused dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, anxiety, cognitive difficulties and memory loss among U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers. Last week, after a years-long assessment, a report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence concluded that it is very ‘unlikely’ that people experiencing symptoms were targeted and sickened by a clandestine enemy.How worried should American officials be of Havana Syndrome reports after the IC’s recent conclusions? Is the U.S. doing enough to investigate Havana Syndrome cases and provide support to those who suffer from it? Does the Fault Lines crew believe that all these reported cases are just coincidences?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://thehill.com/policy/national-security/3879732-us-intelligence-says-havana-syndrome-unlikely-caused-by-foreign-adversary/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/03/01/havana-syndrome-intelligence-report-weapon/ Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and Jamil discuss the current hunger crisis in North Korea. Reports indicate that over 40% of North Koreans are facing malnutrition and hunger, and North Korea has asked the World Food Program for help.How should the United States respond to the hunger crisis in North Korea? Will North Korea allow more of the international community to help feed its people?  What role does China and Russia's support of North Korea play in all this?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://www.wsj.com/articles/north-korea-suffers-one-of-its-worst-food-crises-in-decades-ee25aa86 https://apnews.com/article/politics-kim-jong-un-south-korea-seoul-north-950fb682af3421c283870b30b5501560 Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and Jamil discuss the new House Select Committee on China’s first public hearing, which aired last night in prime time. This first hearing set the table for what is likely to be a year or two of Congressional focus on China and laid out the multitude of threats posed by the country.How much should the U.S. prioritize the competition with China? How far should the U.S. go in decoupling economically from China? How can Congress get the American public to pay attention to the threats posed by the CCP?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://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-house-select-committee-hearing-tiktok-hr-mcmaster-matthew-pottinger/ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/bipartisan-china-committee-hold-first-hearing-tension-us-beijing-rcna72476 Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and Jamil discuss recent headlines about China's consideration of providing lethal military assistance to Russia - including statements from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. However, on Sunday, the U.S. made clear there is no evidence that China has already provided lethal aid.How concerned is the Fault Lines crew that China may come to Russia’s aid? What will the Biden Administration do about China’s relationship with Russia? If China does provide weapons to Russia, what should the consequences be?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://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-china-artillery-ammunition-us-intelligence-rcna72353 https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-china-calls-for-peace-u-s-believes-beijing-is-mulling-artillery-and-drone-deliveries-to-moscow-aee2b62a Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and Jamil discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent announcement that Moscow would “suspend” its participation in the New START treaty, a nuclear nonproliferation agreement entered into in 2011 that puts limits on the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear warheads deployed by the U.S. and Russia.Is Putin playing nuclear games? Will Russia still abide by the the treaty’s limitations? Does the Fault Lines crew think the U.S. is headed towards another nuclear arms race?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://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/biden-says-putin-made-big-mistake-new-start-treaty-rcna71764 https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/21/politics/nuclear-weapons-new-start-treaty-what-matters/index.html Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the initiation of a $10 billion oil project in Uganda to build 10 well pads inside Uganda’s largest national park, which has become yet another flashpoint in the global battle against climate change. What does the Fault Lines team think of Uganda being pressured to forgo its natural resources? How does the World Bank balance promoting economic growth and security in poor nations with environmental concerns? Should wealthy nations be paying developing countries for their ambitious climate goals?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://www.wsj.com/articles/uganda-other-african-nations-push-for-fossil-fuel-projects-7dbcd006 https://apnews.com/article/politics-uganda-europe-climate-and-environment-business-cfc29315710d7aec764ede097ec6f0bf  Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@lestermunson@morganlroach Like what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss President Biden's surprise visit to Kyiv and the impending one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.What is Fault Lines’ assessment of the war in Ukraine after a year? Is the Biden Administration doing all that it can do to support Ukraine? Will the current on-the-ground stalemate result in an ultimate Russian loss?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://www.cnn.com/2023/02/20/politics/biden-ukraine-zelensky-visit-one-year-war-anniversary-intl-hnk/index.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-in-ukraine-russia-war-news-today-china-putin-lethal-aid-concern/ Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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, and Jamil discuss the recent devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and northwestern Syria. The death toll continues to mount, with estimates now exceeding 44,000, along with hundreds of thousands facing displacement.What should the United States, our allies, and the international community be doing to better address the growing crisis in the region? Are sanctions halting any progress in humanitarian aide? Will the Turkish and Syrian regimes be able to step in and provide aide for their people? 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/politics-turkey-government-business-earthquakes-0f7d4fb77ea45c94b7b5ecd637a930c7 https://www.wsj.com/articles/earthquake-fallout-raises-political-stakes-in-turkeys-election-year-f921ae11 Follow our experts on Twitter:@jamil_n_jaffer@NotTVJessJones@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.