

Fault Lines
National Security Institute
Fault Lines, the National Security Institute’s flagship podcast, gets you quickly up to speed, three-times-a-week, on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America.Our regular cast of foreign policy experts includes NSI Deputy Executive Director Martha Miller, NSI Senior Fellows Lester Munson and Morgan Viña, and Director of the NSI CTC - Howard University Cybersecurity Clinic Jessica Jones. Tune in to learn more about the issues dominating headlines and the news stories you may have missed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 27, 2023 • 9min
Episode 187: A Deepening China-Russia Alliance
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.

Feb 24, 2023 • 9min
Episode 186: New START of Arms Race?
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.

Feb 22, 2023 • 9min
Episode 185: Wildlife vs. Oil
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.

Feb 20, 2023 • 9min
Episode 184: The Ukraine War Turns One Year Old
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.

Feb 17, 2023 • 8min
Episode 183: Twin Quakes in Syria and Turkey Highlight Relief Challenges
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.

Feb 15, 2023 • 7min
Episode 182: Putin’s Playbook Turns its Page to Moldova
Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s recent accusations of Russia plotting to overthrow her country’s pro-Western government. Ms. Sandu’s remarks follow Ukrainian President Zelensky’s warnings last week that Ukrainian intelligence had intercepted “a detailed Russian plan” to destabilize Moldova.How serious are Russian destabilization efforts in former Soviet governments? What – if any – impact does this development have on the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Does the Fault Lines crew think Moldova is the new “Ukraine” in terms of Western and NATO expansion?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.economist.com/europe/2023/02/13/moldova-fears-it-might-fall-victim-to-a-russian-coup-plot https://time.com/6255048/russia-moldova-plot/ 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.

Feb 13, 2023 • 10min
Episode 181: From Balloons to Arms Control?
Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent collaboration of U.S. and Canadian military aircraft to shoot down four separate unidentified objects flying over North America over the past several days.How aggressive should we be with unknown aircraft? When will the U.S. government identify where these aircraft are coming from and what their mission capabilities are? Do these shootdowns mean we are closer to war than we realize?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.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/02/12/spy-balloon-alaska-canada/ https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/12/politics/lake-huron-high-altitude-object/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.

Feb 10, 2023 • 10min
Episode 180: DeathStar Link: Russian Bots Celebrate
Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss SpaceX’s recent announcement that it will limit Ukraine's use of its Starlink satellite systems for "offensive" military operations. Starlink has provided critical communication capabilities to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last February.How will SpaceX’s decision affect the war on the ground? Will depriving Ukrainians of this capability be a massive set back? How involved should the private sector be in military efforts?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://foreignpolicy.com/2023/02/09/ukraine-russia-war-starlink-drones-musk-spacex/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/09/starlink-restricts-internet-drones-ukraine/ 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.

Feb 8, 2023 • 9min
Episode 179: Russia-Iran: An Explosive Relationship
Today, Jess, Jamil, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Senior Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the recent development that Moscow and Tehran are moving ahead with plans to build a new factory in Russia that could make at least 6,000 Iranian-designed drones for the war in Ukraine, the latest sign of deepening cooperation between the two nations.How will the growing Iran-Russia relationship impact the current conflict in Ukraine and in future conflicts? Is this merely a relationship of convenience or a new “permanent” partnership? What influence will this relationship have on Middle East relations?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/iranian-drones-in-ukraine-project-tehrans-power-beyond-mideast-testing-u-s-europe-11666880851?mod=article_inline https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-30/russia-rejected-iran-s-400-missiles-request-amid-gulf-tension 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.

Feb 6, 2023 • 10min
Episode 178: The Balloon That Popped
Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the famous Chinese spy balloon that entered the U.S. airspace over Idaho from Canada last week and was ultimately shot down by the U.S. Air Force over the Atlantic Ocean off the Carolina Coast this weekend.Should the balloon have been shot down much earlier? Does the handling of the balloon reflect a credibility issue for this Administration? What does the Fault Lines crew think of the partisan squabbling over the balloon?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.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64530102 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/05/world/asia/china-balloon-united-states.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.


