Fault Lines

National Security Institute
  • 4.4 (41)
  • 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 Founder and Executive Director Jamil N. Jaffer, NSI Advisory Board Member Lester Munson, and NSI Senior Fellows Morgan Viña, and 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

    Fault Lines Episode 567: Iran Into Week Two

    Today, Jamil, Les, and Andy take stock of the war with Iran as the conflict enters its second week. Tehran has continued missile and drone attacks across the region, including strikes toward Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, even as Iran’s president publicly apologized for some of the attacks. Meanwhile, Israel struck major fuel infrastructure inside Iran, and reports indicate the regime has selected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah, as the country’s new Supreme Leader, raising questions about a potentially more hardline and hereditary turn in Iran’s leadership. What does the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei mean for the future of the Iranian regime and its relationship with the United States? Is this a moment Washington could use to pressure the regime as its command-and-control structure shows signs of strain? And with conflicting statements emerging from Iran’s political and military leadership, are we witnessing the fog of war or deeper fractures within the regime itself? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. Check out these sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussion:  https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/irans-foreign-minister-rejects-calls-ceasefire-continue-fighting-rcna262291 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/07/offer-from-irans-president-to-not-attack-neighbours-provokes-internal-backlash https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/world/middleeast/israel-iran-oil-strikes.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RlA.7y5K.rylKW2rO5YJs&smid=nytcore-ios-share  @jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson @andykeiser @WashingtonFlack 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/ZKEBLbNgWdg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Fault Lines Episode 566: One Week of War: What Comes Next?

    Today, Les, Morgan, Joshua, and Algene revisit the war with Iran as the conflict enters its seventh day. Iran has launched waves of drones and missiles across the region, including strikes toward Azerbaijan, Turkey, Cyprus, and several Sunni Arab states, in what appears to be an effort to widen the conflict. Meanwhile, reports suggest Russia is providing targeting intelligence to Iran, while Ukraine has offered assistance to the U.S. and Israel based on its battlefield experience countering drones and missiles. Where does the conflict go from here? Will Iran’s efforts to broaden the war draw in new actors or continue to push regional states closer to Washington? What role might partners like Ukraine or private defense companies play as the demand for missile and drone defense grows? And as Congress narrowly votes down resolutions opposing the war under the War Powers Resolution, does that effectively amount to legislative approval of the President’s actions? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @lestermunson @morganlroach @joshuachuminski  @AlgeneSajery 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/-zyJzSLc78Q Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min

  3. 6D AGO

    Fault Lines Episode 565: Strikes, Retaliation, and the Risk of a Wider War

    Today, Morgan, Andy, Jess, and Marc provide an update on the escalating conflict with Iran following the launch of Operation Epic Fury. The joint U.S.–Israeli campaign is still underway, with strikes targeting Iranian missile and naval capabilities while Tehran and its proxies retaliate against U.S. interests in the region. What began as a decapitation strike has quickly expanded into a broader military effort, raising questions about how far the United States intends to go. Is this still a limited operation, or the start of a longer regional conflict? How long can the United States realistically sustain a campaign of this scale? And as Congress debates war powers and funding while global shipping, energy markets, and U.S. force posture come under pressure, what are the wider consequences of this campaign? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @morganlroach @andykeiser @nottvjessjones @WashingtonFlack 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/FZlIW8T9R6g Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min

  4. MAR 2

    Fault Lines Episode 564: Epic Fury: Iran After Khamenei

    Today, Les, Jamil, and Morgan discuss Operation Epic Fury and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes across Iran. The operation marks a historic moment in a decades-long confrontation that has shaped every American presidency since 1979. The immediate questions now center on what comes next, for Iran, the region, and the broader international system. Will this decapitation strike trigger the collapse of the regime, or does Iran’s deeply entrenched security apparatus remain intact? Should the United States actively support fragmented opposition groups, and if so, how? And as Iran’s partners in Moscow and Beijing weigh their response, what are the risks of escalation, including potential disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and global energy markets? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @lestermunson @jamil_n_jaffer @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/YOkOGb9ZPyk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min

  5. FEB 27

    Fault Lines Episode 563: Caribbean Crossfire

    Today, Jess, Les, and Andy unpack a deadly and still-unfolding incident off the coast of Cuba, where Cuban authorities opened fire on a Florida-registered speedboat, killing one U.S. resident. Havana claims the vessel carried weapons and gear that could have been used for a terrorist attack and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described the episode as an “unusual incident.”  What exactly do we know about the incident? Is this an isolated maritime confrontation or the kind of flashpoint that could provoke a major U.S. response? How does the U.S. military's build up in the Middle East impact how Washington may respond to this episode? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @nottvjessjones @lestermunson @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/sr8CJ5O7adg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 min

  6. FEB 25

    Fault Lines Episode 562: State of the Union: Substance or Show

    Today, Morgan, Les, Matt, and Algene break down President Trump’s State of the Union address, the longest in history and filled with familiar themes, economic boasts, and political theater. The President claimed a historic economic turnaround and emphasized tariffs, national strength, and a tough posture against Iran. But while the speech delivered pomp and pageantry, it offered little in the way of a clear forward-looking strategy at a consequential political moment. How will allies and adversaries interpret the address, particularly amid ongoing tensions with Iran and economic friction with Europe? Did the emphasis on tariffs and economic nationalism reinforce stability or raise new questions about U.S. reliability? And in a year when voters consistently cite affordability as their top concern, did the President meaningfully address the challenges facing everyday Americans or miss an opportunity to shape the political landscape heading into November?  Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @morganlroach @lestermunson @WMattHayden @AlgeneSajery 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/GTW9ff7Jcec Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 min

  7. FEB 23

    Fault Lines Episode 561: More Than Medals: The Politics of the Winter Games

    Today, Les, Jamil, Jess, and Morgan unpack the geopolitical undercurrents of the Winter Olympics. The spotlight has fallen on athletes like Alysa Liu, competing for the United States, and Eileen Gu, who chose to represent China after reportedly receiving a lucrative offer from Beijing. Meanwhile, the U.S. men’s hockey team’s victory over favored Canada, America’s medal race with Norway, and even off-ice political theatrics have fueled debate about nationalism, identity, and how leaders frame athletic dominance. Do medal counts and hockey championships shape national narratives in ways that affect how countries see themselves and each other? Do the Winter Olympics play into Trump’s view of the world? In an era where global competition extends from military power to medal counts, how much geopolitical weight should we really assign to the Games? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @lestermunson @jamil_n_jaffer @NotTVJessJones @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/Vp69UEMjtMk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min

  8. FEB 20

    Fault Lines Episode 560: The Board of Peace: A New Model for Gaza?

    Today, Jess, Morgan, Matt, and Jamil examine the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, hosted in Washington yesterday. The Board was created to focus on the reconstruction of Gaza and the coordination of post-conflict stabilization efforts. The first meeting brought together officials from dozens of countries, alongside political and business leaders, and included a sweeping promise of $10 billion in U.S. funding. How does the Board of Peace impact regional stability and post-conflict governance in the Middle East? What does its existence signal for the future role of international organizations like the United Nations? What does the Board’s current membership say about the priorities and vision behind the initiative? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @NotTVJessJones @morganlroach @WMattHayden @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/aHxHGEmEdeA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
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4.4
out of 5
41 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 Founder and Executive Director Jamil N. Jaffer, NSI Advisory Board Member Lester Munson, and NSI Senior Fellows Morgan Viña, and 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    579
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © A National Security Institute Podcast
  • Show Website
    Fault Lines

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