Fault Lines National Security Institute

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss Iran’s massive drone and missile attack against Israel which occurred over the weekend. Israel, in a coordinated air defense operation with the U.S. and others, was able to intercept 99% of Iran’s missiles and drones.  Israel’s war cabinet met yesterday to formulate a response, while the Biden Administration said the U.S. would not participate in a counter-strike.
Did Iran intend this attack merely as theatre or as the opening salvo of a larger escalation?  How can Israel respond to this attack without escalating the conflict?  How will the increasing cooperation of Israel and Arab partners impact the war in Gaza and the region long term?
 
Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.
Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!
https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-launches-drone-attack-at-israel-ff263fbb
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/biden-presses-for-diplomatic-response-to-irans-attack-on-israel-1c5452a1
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-shot-down-iranian-salvo-shoulder-to-shoulder-with-us-2024-04-15/ 
https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-hamas-latest-04-15-2024-05ca1ac2780defa8a1a0345754708512 
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/europe-joins-us-urging-restraint-by-israel-after-iranian-attack-2024-04-15/ 
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-netanyahu-vows-victory-after-iran-strikes-fears-wider-conflict-grow-2024-04-14/ 
Follow our experts on Twitter: 
@jamil_n_jaffer
@NotTVJessJones
@lestermunson
@morganlroach
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And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!
We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/ofSkyc4olPk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss another ongoing fight within Congress - the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a vital national security program that allows the U.S. to gather intelligence on foreign adversaries and terrorists.  Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump called on House Republicans to "Kill FISA,” leading to 19 GOP House members joining Democrats in blocking FISA legislation from moving forward.
Why is Section 702 of FISA so important to U.S. national security?  Will the House pass a 702 reauthorization bill ahead of its April 19 expiration date?  Why did former President Trump lobby against reauthorization when his administration voted to reauthorize it?
 
Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.
Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-blast-cry-wolf-conservatives-who-tanked-fisa-renewal-bill 
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/10/us/politics/fisa-trump-johnson-house.html
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4588493-fisa-702-plan-b/
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4588868-jeffries-johnson-fisa-impasse/
Follow our experts on Twitter: 
@jamil_n_jaffer
@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!
We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/4a-gGafR5Ts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the ongoing conflicts within the U.S. House of Representatives over the $95 billion supplemental aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.  Embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson faces threats from Republican rabble-rousers to oust him if he brings Ukraine aid to vote on the House floor.  There is also speculation whether House Democrats will support the White House supplemental given the ongoing war in Gaza. 
How do these shakeups impact U.S. reputation abroad?  Should Speaker Johnson bring the Ukraine/Israel/Taiwan aid package to the floor even in the face of threats of ouster?  How does the upcoming election impact the vote on the supplemental?
 
Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.
Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4581611-johnson-gauntlet-greene-ouster-threat/ 
https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-congress-speaker-johnson-6ca638103f0286405144891604f92de3
https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-marjorie-taylor-greene-e0f0271f8244598841c56502f12f38a0 
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!
We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/5VK9TlwHKCQ

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss Ecuador’s recent decision to send police officers into the Mexican Embassy in Quito to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted on corruption and bribery charges. The raid has been with met international condemnation and Mexico has severed diplomatic ties with Ecuador.
Why did Mexico grant political asylum to Jorge Glas? Are there any long-term implications for Ecuador’s violation of the Vienna Convention? Was Ecuador in the right to raid the embassy? 
Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.
Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!
https://www.eurasiareview.com/08042024-biden-administration-should-demand-ecuador-immediately-release-political-opponent-illegally-kidnapped-from-mexicos-embassy-oped/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/07/world/americas/ecuador-mexico-embassy-noboa.html
https://apnews.com/article/7276b35e8d5944e7b5ca280ab0390b26
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/07/ecuador-mexico-embassy-raid-glas-noboa-diplomacy/eb838672-f50c-11ee-9506-c8544e5c9d86_story.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/05/mexico-ecuador-crisis-diplomatica/a9d8ba10-f3c9-11ee-a4c9-88e569a98b58_story.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/07/latin-american-governments-condemn-ecuador-after-police-raid-mexican-embassy 
Follow our experts on Twitter: 
@jamil_n_jaffer
@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!
We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/zI8rRImFEy0

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s second trip to China, where she will advocate for fair treatment of American workers and businesses, press Chinese counterparts on unfair trade practices, and warn of the consequences of Chinese industrial overcapacity. This trip follows a domestic tour by Secretary Yellen to key swing states selling President Biden’s economic and industrial policies to the American Public.
What is the Biden administration’s strategy when it comes to China? What does Secretary Yellen’s visit seek to accomplish? Will this visit affect any policy changes within China?
Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.
Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!
https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2218
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/04/heres-who-treasury-secretary-janet-yellen-is-going-to-meet-in-china.html 
https://www.voanews.com/a/treasury-secretary-yellen-to-visit-china-for-high-level-talks/7555456.html 
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!
We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/kJHFlJVF9Es

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss a recent joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Insider, and Der Spiegel on Havana syndrome – a mysterious illness causing a variety of debilitating symptoms often seen in American diplomats and intelligence officials – that points the finger at Russia. This report contracts the U.S. Intelligence Community’s formal assessment from a year ago that found it was “very unlikely” that symptoms were caused by enemy operatives.
How credible is this joint investigation report? Is this a case of the politicization of U.S. intelligence? Is the U.S. intelligence community covering up Russia’s involvement to prevent escalation?
Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.
Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/havana-syndrome-culprit-investigation-new-evidence-60-minutes-transcript/ 
https://time.com/6962399/havana-syndrome-russia-u-s/
https://apnews.com/article/havana-syndrome-russia-cuba-vilnius-4839ec0e3ce0db76670832235d602a16
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/01/investigate-havana-syndrome-russia/
https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/04/a-havana-syndrome-cover-up/
https://www.voanews.com/a/us-not-moved-by-report-blaming-russia-for-havana-syndrome/7552401.html 
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!
We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/KTvmCpHA9D4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.