Fault Lines National Security Institute

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China where he will be meeting with senior Chinese officials. On the agenda - potential sanctions against Chinese financial institutions if China continues to support Russia’s build-up of its defense industrial base, including by providing significant quantities of machine tools, microelectronics, drone and turbojet engines, and technology for cruise missiles.
Will the threat of sanctions against Chinese financial institutions change Chinese policy?  Does Secretary Blinken have enough credibility on the world stage to influence policy?  How can the United States change China’s policy toward Russia?
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/us-china-blinken-xi-middle-east-russia-210b07bcc585b9f2de14ff71951d8743
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-takes-aim-at-chinese-banks-aiding-russia-war-effort-fcf76dcc
https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/12/politics/china-russia-support-weapons-manufacturing/index.html
https://www.ft.com/content/0911e97e-03c8-4870-a72e-9b55f1f2405e
Follow our experts on Twitter: 
@jamil_n_jaffer
@NotTVJessJones
@morganlroach
@lestermunson
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/aiGWZmdVePI


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Today, Jamil, Jess, and Morgan discuss the ongoing Indian general election which began last week and goes through June 1, with over 950 million votes and a million polling places. 
The ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seeks to expand its controlling majority from 350 seats to over 400 seats in the Parliament and allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi to obtain an unprecedented 3rd term. 
What role will this election play in U.S.-India relations?  Will concerns of democratic backsliding worsen if Prime Minister Modi obtains his 3rd term?  How does India’s role in the non-aligned movement impact the ongoing great power competition?
 
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.cnn.com/2024/04/18/india/india-general-election-polls-open-intl-hnk/index.html 
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240413-india-s-mammoth-elections-nearly-a-billion-voters-44-polling-days 
https://carnegieendowment.org/publications/interactive/india-elects-2024 
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/16/world/asia/india-2024-election.html
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-votes-gigantic-election-modi-seeks-historic-third-term-2024-04-18/ 
https://apnews.com/article/india-election-voting-begins-7ea0983c9b7bc7506c8457f44afcfd64 
Follow our experts on Twitter: 
@jamil_n_jaffer
@NotTVJessJones
@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/ZspoS7QWa_4

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

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss Israel’s response to the over 300 drones and missiles launched against them by Iran earlier this week. Last night Israel struck the airbases near the Iranian city of Isfahan, near where Iran’s nuclear programme is located. The IAEA confirmed that there was no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites. 
Will this strike lead to further escalation?  What was the message sent by Israel by the targets they picked to strike?  Has Iran’s status decreased regionally as a result of these strikes?
 
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.npr.org/2024/04/18/1245763498/israel-iran-missile-strikes
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-missiles-hit-site-iran-abc-news-reports-2024-04-19/
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/18/world/israel-iran-gaza-war-news
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-activates-air-defenses-and-cancels-flights-27b6d416
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/19/israel-iran-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/ 
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/hZlChKLH5Wo

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

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss House Speaker Mike Johnson’s new strategy to pass the long-awaited aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific and his attempts to rebuff members of his own party who seek to oust him through a motion to vacate.
What will the resulting aid package look like?  What will the reputational impact for the United States be if the House fails to pass one or more of the aid bills?  With an outstanding motion for Speaker Johnson to vacate the chair, will he survive passing the aid package?
 
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/4598253-johnson-ukraine-aid-ouster-threat/
https://rollcall.com/2024/04/15/piecemeal-supplemental-spending-plan-emerges-in-house/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna147747
https://apnews.com/article/israel-ukraine-house-speaker-42a2f281a5437beaa8af4c3345987637 
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/17uG_Pe0uhg

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

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
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/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.