Fault Lines

Today, Les, Jess, and Bishop discuss the recent developments in the War in Gaza including President Biden’s recent comments stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war to stay in power. These comments come amidst a flurry of diplomatic activity by the United States to Egypt and Qatar to hammer out a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Why has President Biden made these public statements? How do these comments impact Israel’s policy on the war in Gaza? Were these comments tailored to appeal to President Biden’s base in a key election year? Is Prime Minister Netanyahu prolonging the war for political gain?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/2024/06/04/world/israel-gaza-war-hamas https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/04/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/03/israel-gaza-hamas-cease-fire/ https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/bidens-cease-fire-plan-seeks-to-push-hamas-and-israel-into-an-agreement-neither-wants-38833ade https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/03/politics/netanyahu-scheduled-speech-congress/index.html https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/05/technology/israel-campaign-gaza-social-media.html?unlocked_article_code=1.xU0.X-PM.i3iswn8vXE2m&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&u2g=i Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@BishopGarrison@NotTVJessJonesLike 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/d2WOhgp0PPY

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula including North Korea sending over hundreds of trash-filled balloons containing roughly 15 tonnes of waste to its southern neighbor.  This was in response to South Korean activist groups sending balloons to the north containing propaganda pamphlets. The South Korean government is considering its response including resuming playing K-pop on loudspeakers across the DMZ toward the north. How does this tit-for-tat impact North-South relations? Does this impact the U.S. strategy for the peninsula?  Should China be held accountable for the actions of North Korea?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.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/29/north-korea-balloons-waste-trash/ https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/kim-jong-uns-balloon-barrage-bags-of-excrement-fly-into-the-south-9f19d3d6 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/02/world/asia/north-korea-trash-balloons.html https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/02/asia/north-korea-trash-balloons-intl-hnk/index.htmlhttps://www.voanews.com/a/us-allies-clash-with-china-and-russia-over-north-korea-s-launches-threats/7638635.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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/6MLUx_JZvvM

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. President Joe Biden’s (limited) decision to permit Ukraine to use (some) American-supplied weapons to strike targets inside of Russia.  Under pressure from European allies, the Biden administration appears—once again—to have evolved (part of) its policy for the supply and use of US weapons, but the restrictions that remain in place will likely continue to hamstring Ukraine’s effort to retake the advantage and ultimately bring the war to a successful close. Why has the Biden administration changed its policy on the use of U.S. weapons in Russia now? Should the Biden administration provide Ukraine with the means to fight—and win—this war and, so, should it have done so earlier?  What end state does the Biden administration want?  A Ukrainian win or a draw that allows Russia to fade with dignity?  Is either outcome even an option?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/2024/05/30/us/politics/biden-ukraine-russia-weapons.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/30/politics/biden-ukraine-limited-strikes-russia https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy770l9llnzoFollow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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/AbS9Dpd24Bg

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss recent developments amidst the Israel-Hamas war.  The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor has sought arrest warrants for both the leadership of Hamas as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Additionally, Ireland, Spain, and Norway have officially recognized a Palestinian state leading Israel to recall their ambassadors in protest for “rewarding terror.” What are the impacts of Western recognition of a Palestinian state? Will the ICC grant the arrest warrants, if so, will it matter? How does the ICC case and the Congressional backlash impact the Biden administration’s policy on Israel?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.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/20/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-warrant-applications-by-the-international-criminal-court/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nn78r3w3ko https://link.foreignpolicy.com/view/64427b64aced183da613ed70l47kv.ul4/e2af2a70 https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/05/20/the-iccs-threat-to-arrest-binyamin-netanyahu-has-shocked-israel?utm_medium=email.internal-newsletter.np&utm_source=salesforce-marketing-cloud&utm_campaign=espresso.US&utm_content=the-world-in-brief-may-21st-2024&utm_term=05/21/24 https://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2024/05/20/the_us_should_oppose_icc_attempts_to_target_israeli_officials_1032770.html Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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/S0_S8oR17r8

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss President Biden hosting Kenyan President William Ruto for a state visit - the first state visit a U.S. president has held for a president of an African nation since 2008.  Last night’s state dinner also marked the designation of Kenya as a U.S. Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).  This dinner took place during President Ruto’s three-day state visit that coincides with Kenya’s imminent deployment of forces to Haiti, as part of a U.N.-led, largely U.S.-financed effort to try to calm the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Why has the United States designated Kenya a MNNA now? Is this elevation an attempt by the Biden Administration to make up for recent failures to engage with the continent? Can the United States do more to increase engagement?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/state-dinner-kenya-biden-african-visit-74de529133275da0a146cf61cc211d82 https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2024/05/23/kenya-state-dinner-biden-obama/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp4421nx727o https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/21/kenya-america-ruto-africa/ https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/22/kenya-non-nato-ally-status-visit-00159578 https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/23/politics/biden-kenya-president-state-visit-china/index.html https://www.politico.com/newsletters/national-security-daily/2024/05/23/a-new-military-era-for-the-us-and-kenya-kind-of-00159744 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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/czOdT2BL52E

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss this week's deadly riots in the French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia where there is upheaval over a constitutional amendment passed by lawmakers in Paris expanding suffrage in the territory and diluting indigenous voting power.  French President Emmanuel Macron is visiting the territory today and has deployed an additional 1,500 troops to quell the violence in the strategically important territory which is the 3rd largest nickel producer in the world. Is France’s constitutional amendment a genuine democratic push or an attempt to wield control of resources? Is France’s strong-arm approach to the protests a good strategy? How are China, Russia, and Azerbaijan impacting the unrest in New Caledonia?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/asia-pacific/australia-new-zealand-send-evacuation-flights-new-caledonia-2024-05-21/ https://www.wsj.com/world/behind-new-caledonias-riots-a-fight-over-vast-reserves-of-nickel-a73f6301 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/17/world/asia/new-caledonia-france-protest.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/15/why-riots-new-caledonia-france-voting https://www.politico.eu/article/new-caledonia-france-brink-civil-war-nickel-gun-macron/ https://www.france24.com/en/france/20240517-why-did-france-block-tiktok-to-quell-unrest-in-new-caledonia Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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/ZsB9RBS6JZQ

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss this weekend’s fatal helicopter crash in the mountainous border region between Azerbaijan and Iran that led to the deaths of both the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, and Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian. The helicopter also carried the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, a senior cleric from Tabriz, three crew members, and a Revolutionary Guard official. How does this crash impact the succession order of Iran's Supreme Leader? How does this accident impact Israeli policy and the wider region? Does the accident provide an opportunity for the Biden administration to change its Iran policy?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/2024/05/19/world/iran-president-crashhttps://www.cnn.com/2024/05/19/middleeast/iranian-president-raisi-helicopter-intlhttps://apnews.com/article/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-426c6f4ae2dd1f0801c73875bb696f48 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/who-is-mohammad-mokhber-irans-interim-president-2024-05-20/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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/kVt9zIMPxIk

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Beijing at the head of a large delegation to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Russian offensive toward Kharkiv. This marks the first international trip by President Putin since his recent re-election to his 5th term as President of Russia. What message does this trip send? What role did the U.S. play in driving Russia closer to China? How does this trip impact U.S. partners and alliances?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.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/15/russia-vladimir-putin-china-xi-meeting/ https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-visit-chinas-xi-deepen-strategic-partnership-2024-05-15/ https://www.reuters.com/world/top-takeaways-putins-trip-china-2024-05-16/ https://www.euronews.com/2024/05/16/putins-visit-to-china-heres-what-you-should-know https://www.ft.com/content/f77028c8-c960-4d10-b0eb-4c511924a4d5 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer@morganlroachLike 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/nxuxAlqzQXo

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Bishop discuss … copper! A recent Wall Street Journal article highlights the increasing competition between China and the United States over obtaining the critical mineral, which is used in everything from electric vehicles, solar panels, to cutting-edge military equipment, and is found across Latin America and in Central Africa.What is the Biden Administration's strategy to increase the US’ acquisition of copper? Is copper mining sustainable? How can the United States compete with China on the critical mineral front?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/business/why-the-world-has-gone-cuckoo-for-copper-ef8c385a https://maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-and-china-back-competing-rail-corridors-to-zambia-s-copper-belt https://nationalinterest.org/feature/china%E2%80%99s-pursuit-copper-changing-latin-america-210171 https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/panamas-supreme-court-rules-against-first-quantum-mine-bab0cfa2 Follow our experts on Twitter: @lestermunson@NotTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer@BishopGarrisonLike 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/yNgReztNdYg