356 episodes

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 Executive Director Jamil Jaffer, NSI Senior Fellow Lester Munson, and NSI Deputy Executive Director 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.

Fault Lines National Security Institute

    • News

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 Executive Director Jamil Jaffer, NSI Senior Fellow Lester Munson, and NSI Deputy Executive Director 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.

    Episode 345: Lessons from D-Day

    Episode 345: Lessons from D-Day

    Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which marked the beginning of the end of Nazi-occupied Europe.  President Biden joined many heads of state, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, in France yesterday to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and democracy.  In remarks, President Biden drew parallels between the allied fight in WWII and the need to once again defend democracy in the face of tyranny. 
    At the 90th anniversary of D-Day, there will likely be no living survivors of the invasion left, how does this loss of human connection to the past impact the lessons we learn? Will D-Day invigorate Western democracies to support Ukraine in the face of Russia?  Should we worry that the lessons of WWII and D-Day are lost to most?
    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.nytimes.com/2024/06/06/world/europe/biden-dday-ukraine-russia.html 
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/06/politics/biden-d-day-american-leadership/index.html 
    https://www.politico.eu/article/france-u-turn-invite-russia-d-day-memorial-ceremony/ 
    https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-oil-refinery-drones-zelenskyy-9581f4f0da1b638070e6f1ca98bb03ef 
    https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-point-du-hoc-bc97ae35237e222caee55033ddb3588f 
    Follow our experts on Twitter: 
    @lestermunson
    @morganlroach
    @NotTVJessJones
    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/yS9d8GrIoEg

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

    • 9 min
    Episode 344: Mixed Messages from the White House

    Episode 344: Mixed Messages from the White House

    Today, Les, Jess, and Bishop discuss the recent developments in the War in Gaza including President Biden’s recent comments stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war to stay in power. These comments come amidst a flurry of diplomatic activity by the United States to Egypt and Qatar to hammer out a ceasefire and hostage release deal. 
    Why has President Biden made these public statements? How do these comments impact Israel’s policy on the war in Gaza? Were these comments tailored to appeal to President Biden’s base in a key election year? Is Prime Minister Netanyahu prolonging the war for political gain?
    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.nytimes.com/live/2024/06/04/world/israel-gaza-war-hamas 
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/04/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/ 
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/03/israel-gaza-hamas-cease-fire/ 
    https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/bidens-cease-fire-plan-seeks-to-push-hamas-and-israel-into-an-agreement-neither-wants-38833ade 
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/03/politics/netanyahu-scheduled-speech-congress/index.html 
    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/05/technology/israel-campaign-gaza-social-media.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xU0.X-PM.i3iswn8vXE2m&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&u2g=i 
    Follow our experts on Twitter: 
    @lestermunson
    @BishopGarrison
    @NotTVJessJones
    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/d2WOhgp0PPY

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

    • 10 min
    Episode 343: 999 Trash Balloons

    Episode 343: 999 Trash Balloons

    Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula including North Korea sending over hundreds of trash-filled balloons containing roughly 15 tonnes of waste to its southern neighbor.  This was in response to South Korean activist groups sending balloons to the north containing propaganda pamphlets. The South Korean government is considering its response including resuming playing K-pop on loudspeakers across the DMZ toward the north. 
    How does this tit-for-tat impact North-South relations? Does this impact the U.S. strategy for the peninsula?  Should China be held accountable for the actions of North Korea?
    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.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/29/north-korea-balloons-waste-trash/ 
    https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/kim-jong-uns-balloon-barrage-bags-of-excrement-fly-into-the-south-9f19d3d6 
    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/02/world/asia/north-korea-trash-balloons.html 
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/02/asia/north-korea-trash-balloons-intl-hnk/index.html
    https://www.voanews.com/a/us-allies-clash-with-china-and-russia-over-north-korea-s-launches-threats/7638635.html 
    Follow our experts on Twitter: 
    @lestermunson
    @jamil_n_jaffer
    @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/6MLUx_JZvvM

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

    • 9 min
    Episode 342: Biden’s Yellow (or Green) Light for Ukraine

    Episode 342: Biden’s Yellow (or Green) Light for Ukraine

    Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. President Joe Biden’s (limited) decision to permit Ukraine to use (some) American-supplied weapons to strike targets inside of Russia.  Under pressure from European allies, the Biden administration appears—once again—to have evolved (part of) its policy for the supply and use of US weapons, but the restrictions that remain in place will likely continue to hamstring Ukraine’s effort to retake the advantage and ultimately bring the war to a successful close. 
    Why has the Biden administration changed its policy on the use of U.S. weapons in Russia now? Should the Biden administration provide Ukraine with the means to fight—and win—this war and, so, should it have done so earlier?  What end state does the Biden administration want?  A Ukrainian win or a draw that allows Russia to fade with dignity?  Is either outcome even an option?
    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.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/us/politics/biden-ukraine-russia-weapons.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare 
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/30/politics/biden-ukraine-limited-strikes-russia 
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy770l9llnzo
    Follow our experts on Twitter: 
    @lestermunson
    @jamil_n_jaffer
    @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/AbS9Dpd24Bg

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

    • 9 min
    Episode 341: An Icy Reception to the ICC

    Episode 341: An Icy Reception to the ICC

    Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss recent developments amidst the Israel-Hamas war.  The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has sought arrest warrants for both the leadership of Hamas as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Additionally, Ireland, Spain, and Norway have officially recognized a Palestinian state leading Israel to recall their ambassadors in protest for “rewarding terror.” 
    What are the impacts of Western recognition of a Palestinian state? Will the ICC grant the arrest warrants, if so, will it matter? How does the ICC case and the Congressional backlash impact the Biden administration’s policy on Israel?
    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.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/20/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-warrant-applications-by-the-international-criminal-court/ 
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nn78r3w3ko 
    https://link.foreignpolicy.com/view/64427b64aced183da613ed70l47kv.ul4/e2af2a70 
    https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/05/20/the-iccs-threat-to-arrest-binyamin-netanyahu-has-shocked-israel?utm_medium=email.internal-newsletter.np&utm_source=salesforce-marketing-cloud&utm_campaign=espresso.US&utm_content=the-world-in-brief-may-21st-2024&utm_term=05/21/24 
    https://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2024/05/20/the_us_should_oppose_icc_attempts_to_target_israeli_officials_1032770.html 
    Follow our experts on Twitter: 
    @lestermunson
    @NotTVJessJones
    @jamil_n_jaffer
    @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/S0_S8oR17r8

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

    • 9 min
    Episode 340: Biden's Kenyan Courtship

    Episode 340: Biden's Kenyan Courtship

    Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss President Biden hosting Kenyan President William Ruto for a state visit - the first state visit a U.S. president has held for a president of an African nation since 2008.  Last night’s state dinner also marked the designation of Kenya as a U.S. Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).  This dinner took place during President Ruto’s three-day state visit that coincides with Kenya’s imminent deployment of forces to Haiti, as part of a U.N.-led, largely U.S.-financed effort to try to calm the ongoing humanitarian crisis. 
    Why has the United States designated Kenya a MNNA now? Is this elevation an attempt by the Biden Administration to make up for recent failures to engage with the continent? Can the United States do more to increase engagement?
    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://apnews.com/article/state-dinner-kenya-biden-african-visit-74de529133275da0a146cf61cc211d82 
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/05/23/kenya-state-dinner-biden-obama/ 
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp4421nx727o 
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/21/kenya-america-ruto-africa/ 
    https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/22/kenya-non-nato-ally-status-visit-00159578 
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/23/politics/biden-kenya-president-state-visit-china/index.html 
    https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2024/05/23/a-new-military-era-for-the-us-and-kenya-kind-of-00159744 
    Follow our experts on Twitter: 
    @lestermunson
    @NotTVJessJones
    @jamil_n_jaffer
    @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/czOdT2BL52E

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

    • 11 min

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