Fault Lines

National Security Institute
  • 4.5 (40)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 525: Anchors Away? U.S. Sinks Global Shipping Tax Vote

    Today, Les, Jamil, and Jess discuss the Trump administration’s successful effort to delay a major vote at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body that oversees global shipping regulations. The proposal would have taxed vessels based on carbon emissions, with revenues funneled to the UN. The U.S. opposed the measure, warning it would raise shipping fuel costs and threaten to worsen inflation at home. After intense U.S. lobbying—described by some as bullying—the IMO voted to postpone the plan. Was this coercion or simply hardball diplomacy? Should the UN, through the IMO, have the authority to levy global taxes in the first place? And as the administration frames its push as economic self-defense, does this signal a broader rejection of multilateral climate measures that Washington sees as bad for business? Check out this souce that helped shape our fellows’ discussion:  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/climate/trump-climate-international-bullying.html  @lestermunson @nottvjessjones @jamil_n_jaffer Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/E-gic_8yWKo  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Episode 524: Sanctions to State Visit: Syria’s Trip to Washington

    Today, Jess, Morgan, and Andy unpack a potentially dramatic diplomatic turn in Syria-US relations. The United Nations has lifted sanctions on President Ahmed al-Sharaa—reportedly at Washington’s urging—clearing the way for his historic visit to the White House next week. Once a commander in the al-Nusra Front, al-Sharaa now leads a Syrian government pivoting from isolation to engagement, as the Trump Administration considers establishing a U.S. military presence at an airbase in Damascus. What does this mean for Trump’s broader Middle East vision of normalization with Israel? Can Syria’s fragile new government withstand domestic backlash as it moves closer to Washington? Is this a genuine pivot away from Iran and Russia, or just another chapter in Syria’s long game of survival? @nottvjessjones @morganlroach @andykeiser Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/ImZo1I2hd7U  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 min

  3. 6D AGO

    Episode 523: Tanzania’s Turning Point?

    Today, Morgan, Les, Amy, and Andy discuss the recent political violence in Tanzania, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan claimed victory with 98% of the vote in an election widely condemned as neither free nor fair. Opposition candidates were arrested, protests have been violently suppressed, and Tundu Lissu, leader of the banned Chadema party, faces treason charges for calling for election reform. Once seen as one of East Africa’s more stable democracies, this marks a sharp and troubling turn for Tanzania. What does this mean for democratic backsliding across Africa—and beyond? Could instability in Tanzania open new opportunities for China and Russia to expand their influence in the region? And as the United States continues to pull back from Africa, can Washington afford to keep treating the continent as an afterthought while authoritarian powers move in? @morganlroach @lestermunson @amykmitchell @andykeiser Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/V7rxk5Ujndw  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min

  4. NOV 3

    Episode 522: Guns Ablazing - Trump Signals Possible Troop Move to Nigeria

    Today, Les, Jamil, Morgan, and Andrew discuss President Trump’s latest statement that U.S. troops may be sent to Nigeria to confront what he described as terrorists targeting Christians. The post sparked immediate controversy, with some analysts noting the Administration may be conflating two distinct conflicts: sectarian violence between Fulani herders and Christian farmers, and the extremist insurgencies of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa. President Tinubu has said he would welcome U.S. security assistance, but the situation on the ground—and Washington’s strategy—remain deeply unclear. Is the Trump administration misdiagnosing Nigeria’s complex conflict? What would an American military intervention look like, especially after the U.S. was expelled from Niger and pulled back counterterrorism operations across the Sahel? And with terrorist groups resurging in West Africa and Russia’s Africa Corps expanding its footprint, can the U.S. afford to stay disengaged or is it about to overcorrect? @lestermunson @morganlroach @jamil_n_jaffer @andrewborene Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/NTXlBlBCFac  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min

  5. OCT 31

    Episode 521: Here Today, Gone To-Mali

    Today, Les, Martha, Morgan, and Jess discuss the alarming developments in Mali, where an Al Qaeda affiliate may soon control the country outright. With the U.S. ordering Americans to evacuate and fuel imports blockaded across the country, the situation in Bamako is rapidly deteriorating. Could this be the moment Al Qaeda transitions from insurgency to governance — collecting taxes, enforcing rule, and projecting power beyond the Sahel? If an Al Qaeda-linked regime does consolidate control, what would that mean for U.S. policy, recognition, confrontation, or containment? How might this reshape counterterrorism strategy in Africa, especially as Russia and China expand their influence in the region? And with extremist groups rising across the Sahel and no confirmed Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, can Washington afford to stay on the sidelines? @lestermunson @morganlroach @marthamillerdc @nottvjessjones Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/biwoX319D1c  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min

  6. OCT 29

    Episode 520: Critical Minerals, Critical Allies: The U.S.-Japan Minerals Deal Explained

    Today, Morgan, Martha, Sarah, and Jess discuss the latest developments in the U.S.–Japan relationship following President Trump’s meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The two leaders announced a wide-ranging set of agreements, including deals on F-35 fighter jets, missile systems, and a Memorandum of Understanding to finance new shipbuilding and critical mineral projects. With China controlling about 90 percent of the world’s rare earth supply, the new MOU commits both nations to support mining ventures within six months—underscoring their shared goal of securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains. What does this deal mean for U.S. national security and economic resilience? Can Washington and Tokyo’s “friendshoring” strategy strengthen defenses against China’s dominance in the minerals market—or is it more symbolic than strategic? And as Trump eyes a potential deal with Beijing that could also touch on critical minerals, will this partnership with Japan bolster U.S. leverage—or complicate the calculus? @morganlroach @marthamillerdc @nottvjessjones @SarahStewartDC Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/purBnjeXBiM  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min

  7. OCT 27

    Episode 519: Talks in Transition: Can the U.S. and China Cool the Conflict?

    Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Jess discuss the latest from President Trump’s Asia tour — with stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea ahead of this week’s high-profile U.S.–China meeting at APEC. With a new framework reportedly in place between Trump and Xi, including quarterly check-ins, Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods, cooperation on critical minerals, and a fentanyl agreement, the conversation turns to what real progress looks like. Will this meeting mark a genuine thaw in U.S.–China relations or just a temporary easing of tensions? Can these trade and minerals agreements meaningfully rebalance competition, or do they simply restore the uneasy status quo? With the U.S. economy in question, could this meeting deliver practical gains to American workers and industries – or will the promises fade once the cameras turn off? More information on today’s topic:  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lqj5lz4geo  @marthamillerdc @nottvjessjones @lestermunson @morganlroach Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/HF0LJzrnLFc  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min

  8. OCT 24

    Episode 518: Russia Round Up: Sanctions, Strategy, and the Next Phase of Pressure

    Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Matt break down the newest wave of U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil exports — measures designed to cut off Russia’s funding for war in Ukraine. The package includes new secondary sanctions aimed at major buyers like India and China. India is signaling a possible rethink of its Russian oil purchases, Europe is weighing the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, and — for the first time in months — the U.S. and its allies seem aligned on a tougher, coordinated economic strategy. Will this escalation of targeting Russia’s oil exports finally dent its war machine? Or has Russia already perfected the art of sanctions evasion? If these economic measures are paired with renewed military support for Ukraine, could that combination finally shift momentum on the battlefield? More information on today’s topic:  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6758pn6ylo  https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/23/russia-nuclear-subs-western-technology-surevillance/  https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/23/eu-frozen-russian-money-ukraine/  @nottvjessjones @lestermunson @marthamillerdc @WMattHayden Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/RmkPm4F-3Rs  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
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4.5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    National Security Institute
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    537
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © A National Security Institute Podcast
  • Show Website
    Fault Lines

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