Fault Lines – Details, episodes & analysis

Today, Morgan, Martha, and Jess unpack key takeaways from the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the Indo-Pacific as a U.S. priority—but also told regional allies that they need to take more responsibility as America turns inward. Meanwhile, China continues its campaign of aggression, and Europe is slowly waking up to Beijing’s threat—with President Macron calling for alliances against “spheres of coercion.”

Can the U.S. credibly claim leadership in the Indo-Pacific without a coherent economic strategy? As allies grow wary of Trump’s tariff-first approach and the perception of the U.S. as a destabilizing force grows, will they begin shaping a regional architecture that leaves America behind?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions. 

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/30/hegseth-warns-asia-allies-that-china-threat-is-imminent-00378700 

https://www.axios.com/2025/05/31/rubio-trump-china-students-tariffs-rare-minerals

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@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/28BJTk4tG4E 

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

Today, Martha, Jess, Amy, and Matt unpack the latest in the Russia-Ukraine conflict as President Trump issues a two-week ultimatum to Vladimir Putin—raising the question: does he really mean it? With no clear movement as talks have stalled, it seems increasingly clear that Russia is stress-testing the limits of U.S. and European patience.

Trump’s disillusioned tone marks a shift, but the administration still appears stuck between rhetoric and real leverage. Meanwhile, NATO’s northern allies are growing uneasy. Is this diplomacy, delay, or something worse? And what’s the cost of letting Putin hold the cards while Europe hesitates to get serious?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our experts’ opinions. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyn3vqex47o

https://www.wsj.com/world/north-korea-sent-missiles-and-other-arms-to-russia-in-violation-of-sanctions-u-s-and-allies-say-2ff4f55e?mod=world_lead_pos1

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-offensive.html

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/the-u-s-reinforces-europes-northern-front-fearing-war-with-russia-b499ef50?mod=world_feat5_europe_pos4

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/germany-to-step-up-ukraine-aid-as-europe-scrambles-to-replace-u-s-d0d4718b?mod=world_feat5_europe_pos2 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@marthamillerdc

@NotTVJessJones

@WMattHayden

@amykmitchell

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/hJLvAVr4690 

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

Today, Morgan, Les, Matt, and Jess unpack the opening of the Papal Conclave, where 133 cardinals will vote to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church following Pope Francis' death. As the Church prepares for a new era, the next pontiff will inherit a vast and diverse flock of 1.4 billion people—and a complex geopolitical role.

What legacy does Pope Francis leave behind? How will the next pope shape global diplomacy, from China to Ukraine to Africa and Latin America? Will this be a time of renewed outreach or internal retrenchment—and how will growing Catholic populations across the world influence the direction of the Church for the next 25 years?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@WMattHayden

@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/Y2fkorABorQ

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

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the upcoming meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden. They are expected to discuss whether to allow the UK to sell Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine to strike military targets deep inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that “if Ukraine did fire Western missiles deep into Russia, it would mean that Russia was at war with NATO.” Russia also expelled six British diplomats from Moscow accusing them of espionage. 

Is this more saber-rattling from Russia, or a genuine redline? What is the impact of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on allowing long-range weapons to be used against Russia? Is the United States slow-rolling equipment to Ukraine or in step with European allies?

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/2024/09/11/nx-s1-5108698/secretary-of-state-blinken-in-kyiv-ukraine 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/12/us/politics/biden-ukraine-weapons.html 

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/09/12/europe/putin-warns-nato-missiles-hnk-latam-intl

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/13/russia-putin-uk-missiles-diplomats/ 

https://www.foxnews.com/world/putin-says-he-backs-harris-over-trump-adds-hes-ready-talks-ukraine 

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/cKs2XB0H3W8

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

Today, Les, Jess, Amy, Matt, and Jeffrey reflect on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks that began the Global War on Terror and changed the course of American history. They discuss how these attacks still shape our national security and foreign policy and how, now over two decades removed from the attacks, newer generations reflect and remember this pivotal event.

Does the changing landscape of how we obtain and learn world events impact how we view world events? Do average Americans understand the threat we still face from global terror? How do we convey the necessity of leaning forward in the world to ensure our national security where both political parties espouse retrenchment?

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/sept-11-anniversary-ceremony-children-reading-names-ed7dcd42524dca1c5098b6b3364aca91 

https://www.npr.org/2024/09/10/g-s1-21925/biden-harris-trump-911-ground-zero-world-trade-center-pentagon-shanksville-flight-93 

https://www.911memorial.org/connect/commemoration/23rd-anniversary-commemoration 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@WMattHayden

@amykmitchell

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/SGwdkxV7GvU

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

Today, Morgan, Jamil, Les, and Jess discuss reports that the Biden administration and the Government of Iraq have reached an understanding on plans for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq. The leaks suggest that we would see hundreds depart by September 2025, with the remaining departing by the end of 2026.

Is this withdrawal plan a sound foreign policy decision or an appeal to domestic politics? What are the regional implications of this potential withdrawal amidst the war against Hamas in Gaza and the looming threat of Iran? How will our allies and adversaries respond to this withdrawal?

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.reuters.com/world/us-iraq-deal-would-see-hundreds-troops-withdraw-first-year-sources-say-2024-09-06/ 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/08/21/biden-iraq-isis-war-end-danger-president/ 

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/2gVD9cvbtXs

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

Today, Les, Jess, Martha, and Jeffrey discuss the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is held every three years, this time in Beijing. All African nations, except the Kingdom of Eswatini due to its recognition of Taiwan, participated in the forum. China is the African continent’s biggest trading partner and arms supplier. 

How does the United States’ and China’s messaging impact the effectiveness of relations with Africa? How can the United States improve its engagement with Africa? How do China’s exploitive loan program and purchase of mainly commodities impact its relations with African nations?

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/2024/09/04/world/asia/china-africa-summit.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb&ngrp=mnn&pvid=F23603F0-AF7C-46B3-BAB5-2379E201F463 

https://www.reuters.com/world/china-deepen-industrial-agricultural-trade-investment-ties-with-africa-2024-09-05/ 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdx6d654556o 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/03/china/china-africa-summit-intl-hnk/index.html 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-africa-summit-us-xi-jinping-rcna169673 

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3277371/china-vows-work-africa-nuclear-tech-satellites-and-space 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@marthamillerdc

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/JKD3atG4XpY

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

Today, Jess, Les, Martha, and Morgan discuss the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, from Ukrainian forces going on the offensive in Russia and capturing 450+ square miles of Russian territory to the recent crash of a Western-provided F-16 jet and Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Mongolia, where he was not arrested despite his outstanding ICC arrest warrant.

How does Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive impact the wider war? What are the implications of Mongolia failing to uphold its ICC obligations? How might the F-16’s recent crash impact future aid efforts?

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/2024/09/03/world/ukraine-russia-missile-strike-poltava

https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-putin-russia-arrest-icc-member-mongolia-prosecution-eu-ukraine/

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/31/world/europe/ukraine-f16-pilot-crash.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/zelenskyy-ukraine-russia-territory-seized-putin-kursk-rcna169280 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@morganlroach

@marthamillerdc

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/CV0JG1wuFuM

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

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Jeffrey discuss two pivotal elections - the French Parliamentary and the Iranian Presidential Election.  French President Emmanuel Macron, after his party was trounced in the European Parliamentary elections, called for a snap election. In which after the first round of voting on Sunday saw Marine Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally party take first place with all eyes on the run-off on Sunday, July 9th.  In Iran, elections were held in the wake of the death of President Ebrahim Raisi.  After the first round of voting, two candidates remain for the Presidency - with ostensible “reformer” Masoud Pezeshkian leading over Saeed Jalili, a former nuclear negotiator for Iran who is viewed as the more hawkish of the two, and with another round of voting to follow. 

How does the French election impact support for Ukraine and the wider EU? What are the implications of Iranian elections on regional stability? How should the next President prepare for the outcome of these elections?

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/france-election-far-right-macron-193233ade08821a71731980d8a17eb4a 

https://apnews.com/article/france-election-far-right-macron-f07061a929ed8eaad0e714e948159cab 

https://www.politico.eu/article/france-legislative-election-marine-le-pen-emmanuel-macron-national-rally-jordan-bardella/ 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-presidential-election-pakeshkian-jalili/ 

https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/06/29/irans-supreme-leader-is-terrified-of-people-power 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/30/world/middleeast/iran-election-president-voters.html 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@jamil_n_jaffer

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/NicQDXSPF_M

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

Today, Jess, Les, Martha, and Matt discuss the recent violent protests in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi over a tax bill that would increase taxes on bread, fuel, and other necessities, which was aimed at alleviating the country’s massive debt burden. Protestors stormed the nation’s parliament building, setting parts ablaze, and clashes with police and military forces have left more than 300 injured and 22 dead. Kenyan President William Ruto has now abandoned the bill but vows to quash the continuing unrest “at whatever cost.” 

With Kenya being recently announced as a U.S. major Non-NATO ally, how do these protests impact U.S.-Kenyan relations? What are the implications of these protests on the stability of the region and our ongoing counter-terrorism efforts? What does this unrest mean for the recently deployed Kenyan police mission to violence-stricken Haiti?

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.bbc.com/news/articles/c3gg30gm0x2o 

https://apnews.com/article/kenya-finance-bill-taxes-protests-396382bdac0fc18dfec7cd3003ece35b 

https://apnews.com/article/kenya-protests-finance-bill-33a20092285f1d663264f7b0d513e1da 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/africa/kenya-protests-tax-parliament.html 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/world/africa/kenya-protests-taxes-president-ruto.html 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@marthamillerdc 

@WMattHayden

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/RzPb1EQY27w

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