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.
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.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Today, Les, Martha, Andy, and Jess discuss Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s White House visit and a pair of major announcements: a reinvigorated AUKUS partnership and a new U.S.–Australia critical minerals deal. While both moves signal deepening strategic and economic ties, the real test will be delivery, building nuclear-powered submarines, securing rare earth supply chains, and reducing reliance on China’s market dominance.
Can Washington and Canberra turn these announcements into action, or will timelines and industrial bottlenecks slow progress into the 2030s? Is this partnership a true step toward allied self-reliance, or mostly a political win for both leaders? And with China already waging what some would call supply chain warfare, how quickly can the U.S. and its allies really catch up?
More information on today’s topic:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-expedite-nuclear-powered-subs-australia-sit-near-chinas-doorstep
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/china-responds-us-australia-rare-earths-dealv
@lestermunson
@marthamillerdc
@nottvjessjones
@andykeiser
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Today, Morgan, Jamil, Martha, and Jess unpack the growing tension between Washington and Bogotá after President Trump accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of running a drug manufacturing regime and threatened to slash aid and impose tariffs. The escalation follows Colombia’s inclusion last month on the U.S. list of countries failing to cooperate with anti-narcotics efforts—and a U.S. strike on a Colombian vessel in the Caribbean that Washington claims was tied to narco-trafficking.
Is this just political posturing or a real rupture with one of America’s closest partners in Latin America? Can Trump’s hard line curb Colombia’s rising coca production, or will it drive Bogotá closer to China and other regional players? And with talk of covert operations in Venezuela, is the administration risking another fight in the neighborhood just as it needs allies the most?
@marthamillerdc
@nottvjessjones
@morganlroach
@jamil_n_jaffer
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Today, Martha, Les, Jess, and Algene discuss President Trump’s renewed focus on Ukraine following the Gaza ceasefire. President Zelensky is in Washington this week to discuss the possibility of Washington providing Tomahawk missiles—a move seen as both a gesture of support for Kyiv and a signal to Moscow. But after Trump’s recent call with Vladimir Putin, it’s hard to say exactly where things stand or how far the administration is willing to go.
Is this strategic balance between deterrence and diplomacy sustainable? Can Trump apply lessons from the Israel–Hamas peace deal to the Russia–Ukraine conflict, or are the stakes, and the adversaries, fundamentally different? And with Congress stalled on tougher sanctions, will symbolic gestures like limited missile transfers have real impact, or is this summit diplomacy without substance?
@marthamillerdc
@nottvjessjones
@lestermunson
@AlgeneSajery
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Today, Jess, Jamil, Martha, and Les discuss the wave of Gen Z–led protests shaking governments across continents—from Madagascar and Nepal, where leaders have fled, to Indonesia and beyond. Driven by unemployment, corruption, and economic strain, these youth movements are leveraging social media and grassroots organizing to challenge entrenched power structures and, in some cases, topple leaders.
Are we seeing a new wave of youth-driven revolutions—a social-media-era sequel to the Arab Spring? What does growing instability in strategic regions like the Mozambique Channel mean for the U.S.? And how should Washington rethink its aid, training, and partnerships as political landscapes shift under generational pressure?
Check out the sources that helped shape our experts’ discussion:
https://apnews.com/article/madagascar-protests-rajoelina-ab1e1eb1aca45fe7e80e81314ebdb0c6
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cqxr3y3788pt
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/13/nx-s1-5573511/madagascar-president-flees-country-military-rebellion
https://www.dw.com/en/gen-z-protests-why-are-asias-youth-so-angry/a-74349495
https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/protests-asia-gen-z-nepal-indonesia-rcna231096
@nottvjessjones
@lestermunson
@jamil_n_jaffer
@marthamillerdc
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Today, Les, Jamil, Amy, and Matt unpack the breakthrough in the Israel–Hamas peace process and what it means for U.S. foreign policy under President Trump. With the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, and the implementation of Trump’s 20-point plan, the first phase of the agreement is underway—marking a major diplomatic win for the administration.
But what comes next? The team explores the broader implications: from renewed U.S. influence in the Middle East to the potential for progress on other global fronts. Could this model be applied to challenges like the war in Ukraine or U.S.–China trade tensions? Is the Trump approach to diplomacy—high stakes, high visibility—emerging as a new blueprint for American power projection?
@lestermunson
@jamil_n_jaffer
@amykmitchell
@WMattHayden
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Today, Morgan, Martha, Jamil, and Andrew unpack the implementation of the Israel-Hamas peace agreement. The first phase includes the return of Israeli hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and limited Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Jared Kushner has also returned to the diplomatic stage—a possible sign for the Trump administration’s plans for the region. But major questions remain about Hamas’s disarmament, Gaza’s long-term governance, and the durability of a ceasefire.
Can this plan truly hold, or is it just another fragile truce in a long line of short-lived deals? Will the United States sustain pressure on both Israel and Hamas to implement each phase? And with Kushner’s return and growing regional buy-in, could this moment mark not only a breakthrough in Gaza but a broader turning point for Israel-Arab normalization?
@morganlroach
@marthamillerdc
@jamil_n_jaffer
@AndrewBorene
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Today, Martha and Andy break down the results of the Czech parliamentary elections, where voter turnout hit a record 69%. Andrej Babiš’s populist party dominated the polls but fell short of a majority, setting up months of coalition negotiations that could reshape Czechia’s political landscape. With inflation, energy costs, and living standards driving the debate, Babiš campaigned on tax cuts, re-nationalizing energy, and pushing back on Brussels, raising questions about future support for Ukraine and the EU’s climate agenda and migrant policies.
Will Babiš’s win shift Czechia’s posture toward NATO and the EU? Can Prague maintain its leadership in supporting Ukraine and countering Russian disinformation, or will a more skeptical government open space for Moscow’s influence? And as U.S. observers draw parallels between Babiš and Trump, what could this election mean for transatlantic politics and the broader populist wave sweeping Europe?
Check out these sources that helped shape our expert’s discussion:
https://www.rferl.org/a/babis-czech-election-victory-brussels-kyiv-eu/33550348.html
https://www.politico.eu/article/five-key-takeaways-from-the-czech-election/
https://x.com/AmbDanFried/status/1974536514785947896
@marthamillerdc
@AndyKeiser
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Today, Morgan, Jamil, Les, and Marc discuss the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Egypt—talks that come just before the second anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks. Hamas has reportedly agreed in principle to release the remaining hostages and relinquish control of Gaza, while Israel would scale back to earlier positions. But with both sides signaling changes on the margins, questions remain about whether a real deal is on the table or just diplomatic theater.
Is this the closest we’ve come to ending the war in Gaza, or another false start? How much pressure is Trump’s administration exerting behind the scenes and is his approach of public pressure and private deal-making actually working? If a ceasefire does take hold, what comes next for Israel’s security, Hamas’s political future, and the regional actors now lining up behind Trump’s plan?
@morganlroach
@lestermunson
@jamil_n_jaffer
@WashingtonFlack
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Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Algene break down a week of developments at the Pentagon. Amidst a rebrand, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gathered nearly 800 top generals and admirals from across the world for a headline-grabbing meeting in Virginia. At the same time, the current federal shutdown has left military pay uncertain, stalled defense contracting, and cut back intelligence and cyber staff. And with new requirements for NDAs and random polygraphs, questions are growing about whether these measures enhance security or risk undermining trust and transparency.
Was Hegseth’s Quantico meeting a culture reset or a show of control? How does the government shutdown impact defense readiness and U.S. credibility abroad? Are Pentagon press limits about protecting government secrets or shutting down the rumor mill?
@lestermunson
@marthamillerdc
@NotTVJessJones
@algenesajery
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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Algene break down a week of developments at the Pentagon. Amidst a rebrand, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gathered nearly 800 top generals and admirals from across the world for a headline-grabbing meeting in Virginia. At the same time, the current federal shutdown has left military pay uncertain, stalled defense contracting, and cut back intelligence and cyber staff. And with new requirements for NDAs and random polygraphs, questions are growing about whether these measures enhance security or risk undermining trust and transparency.
Was Hegseth’s Quantico meeting a culture reset or a show of control? How does the government shutdown impact defense readiness and U.S. credibility abroad? Are Pentagon press limits about protecting government secrets or shutting down the rumor mill?
@lestermunson
@marthamillerdc
@NotTVJessJones
@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/OYpLPfRROwE
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, Martha, Les, Jamil, and Jess break down the new Gaza peace plan unveiled by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House. The proposal, reportedly a 20-point framework, calls for an Arab peacekeeping force led by Jordan and Egypt, a governing council that includes the Palestinian Authority but excludes Hamas, and the release of all hostages. Trump has put himself at the center of the effort, touting a role as Chairman of the Board of Peace, while Arab states like Qatar and Turkey have signaled openness to the plan.
Is this really a breakthrough or just a reshuffling of familiar proposals? Does Trump’s personal stake give the plan greater chances of success—or just raise the political risks if it fails? And with Arab leaders weighing their options after recent Israeli strikes, is this a moment for serious movement, or simply another round of the same stalemate?
Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions:
https://apnews.com/article/trump-netanyahu-israel-hamas-war-gaza-708a08671b8842d7a7a5e250ec51351c
@lestermunson
@marthamillerdc
@NotTVJessJones
@jamil_n_jaffer
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Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Jess discuss the snapback of sanctions on Iran, nearly a decade after the JCPOA was signed. Despite Russian and Iranian attempts to block the move, pre-deal sanctions have been restored with support from Germany, France, and the UK. Tehran denounced the action as illegal and recalled its ambassadors, even as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sought to downplay the impact. Washington and the EU piled on with additional sanctions, raising the question: will renewed pressure shift Tehran’s behavior, or are we back where we were in 2015?
If U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program were truly successful, why are sanctions still needed? And while sanctions have, at times, seemed to slow Iran’s nuclear ambitions, they haven’t stopped Tehran outright. What’s the broader strategy here? Can sanctions be more than a stopgap measure or will Iran’s nuclear program and alignment with Russia continue to advance despite international pressure?
Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crme84w3n23o
@marthamillerdc
@morganlroach
@NotTVJessJones
@lestermunson
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Today, Morgan, Jeffrey, Andy, and Jess break down President Trump’s meeting with Turkish President Erdoğan following a busy week on the international stage. At the center of the talks: Turkey’s push to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program after being expelled during Trump’s first term for buying Russia’s S-400 air defense system. While the tone was more conciliatory than in past years, no concrete commitments emerged — leaving open questions about Turkey’s role as a NATO ally and U.S. partner.
What does Turkey actually want from Washington, and what should the U.S. demand in return? Can Erdoğan rebuild trust without giving up the S-400? Should Trump leverage Turkey’s bid for NATO influence to extract concessions on Hamas, Israel, and Eastern Mediterranean disputes? And does letting Ankara back into the F-35 program reward bad behavior, or offer an opportunity to lock in long-term strategic gains?
Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8jm3lr7vkyo
@morganlroach
@NotTVJessJones
@andykeiser
Jeffrey Wells
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Today, Jess, Les, Morgan, and Jeffrey unpack President Trump’s speech at the 80th UN General Assembly — a wide-ranging address that touched on everything from real estate and polling numbers to sharp criticism of the UN itself. Beyond the headlines, the real intrigue came afterward: Trump’s meeting with President Zelensky included a surprising suggestion that NATO countries should shoot down Russian jets, while his conversations with Argentina’s president and the President of the European Commission underscored his preference for one-on-one diplomacy.
So what actually matters from this week in New York? Was Trump’s UNGA appearance more show than substance, or did his remarks and private bilaterals point to a real shift in U.S. foreign policy? What should we take away from Trump’s approach to the UN and the broader international order?
Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg423plexy1o
https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-unga-trump-global-feb243ecb979d53317dfb1cad9968038
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/23/politics/takeaways-trump-un-speech
@NotTVJessJones
@lestermunson
@morganlroach
Jeffrey Wells
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Today, Les, Jamil, Andy, and Jess unpack a dangerous new escalation on NATO’s flank: three Russian MiG-31s flew through Estonian airspace for several minutes on Friday, a violation Tallinn says it can prove even as Moscow denies the incident and accuses Estonia of provocation. NATO jets — including Italian F-35s and fighters from Sweden and Finland — scrambled in response. The incursion follows recent Russian drone overflights of Poland and Romania and comes amid an uptick in attacks inside Ukraine, raising alarms across Europe about Moscow’s willingness to push boundaries.
How should the U.S. and NATO respond to airspace violations that creep toward Article 5 thresholds? Is the right answer a sharper military posture — more weapons and patrols for Ukraine and Baltic defenses — or tighter economic and diplomatic pressure? And with allies in Europe calling for stronger action, will Washington elevate its response or risk encouraging further Russian probing?
Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions:
https://apnews.com/article/british-intelligence-mi6-russia-war-443df0c37ff2254fcc33d5425e3beaa6
@lestermunson
@NotTVJessJones
@jamil_n_jaffer
@andykeiser
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Today, Morgan, Bishop, and Marc break down President Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom. The visit featured the largest military honor guard ever assembled for such an occasion, alongside announcements of major U.S. private-sector investments in UK industry from Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir, and others.
Was this visit a substantive step forward in the U.S.-UK “special relationship,” or more pageantry than progress? How significant are the tech partnerships and investment pledges for the UK’s economy—and what do they signal about AI and tech regulation going forward? With many of the agreements still “aspirational,” how much weight should we give to this moment of symbolism and transatlantic continuity?
Check out these sources which informed our experts’ opinions:
https://apnews.com/article/trump-uk-state-visit-starmer-chequers-bc9088873ab7fc481c7163d60fe4da98
https://www.npr.org/2025/09/18/nx-s1-5544343/trump-starmer-press-conference
@morganlroach
@bishopgarrison
@WashingtonFlack
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