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PODCAST

Fault Lines

National Security Institute

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

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All Episodes

10:16

Episode 445: Fire, Fallout, and the Future of...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/28

Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Matt break down the major explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port—a key hub for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps that plays a crucial role in supplying proxies and moving sanctionable goods. With at least 40 dead, and early reports linking missile propellant sourced from China to the blast, the incident raises urgent questions about Iran’s illicit networks, foreign support, and the growing ties between Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing.Will this explosion reshape Iran’s

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7:51

Episode 444: Ukraine Negotiations: Make Crimea Russia...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/25

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Algene discuss the latest Ukraine ceasefire talks in London. With Trump envoy Keith Kellogg at the table, the administration is signaling it might walk away if a deal is not reached quickly. The administration’s push for Ukraine to give up Crimea, alongside Trump’s public frustration over continued Russian attacks, has raised concern among Ukraine’s allies.What happens if the U.S. takes a step back from the conflict? Does the Trump Administration's Ukraine strategy

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10:00

Episode 443: India, Terror, and Trade

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/23

Today, Morgan, Martha, and Jess break down Vice President JD Vance’s visit to India—a trip originally billed as personal but packed with high-level meetings and geopolitical implications. Vance’s arrival coincided with the deadliest terrorist attack in Kashmir in nearly 20 years, as gunmen killed at least two dozen tourists. As India blames Pakistan, tensions are rising, just as the U.S. seeks to deepen trade and security ties with New Delhi.What does this attack mean for India’s potential military

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10:51

Episode 442: Leaks, Loyalty, and the Pentagon’s...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/21

Today, Les, Martha, Bishop, and Amy unpack the latest controversy surrounding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who’s now facing allegations of leaking classified information via another Signal chat—just days after three senior aides were abruptly fired. The allegations raise serious questions about process, discipline, and accountability at the heart of the Pentagon.Is the Trump administration holding Hegseth to a different standard? What are the consequences of removing the senior political staff

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11:08

Episode 441: Populists, Planets, and Potential Tariff...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/18

Today, Jess, Martha, and Les discuss Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to the White House. As the EU’s unofficial emissary, Meloni is hoping to head off an EU-U.S. trade war. Trump says a deal is coming “100%,” but he’s in no rush. Meanwhile, the EU is in talks with China over EV tariffs, as Trump reportedly ups pressure on Europe to pick a side: Washington or Beijing. Oh, and NASA has found signs of life on an exoplanet. From trade to space and everything in between—it’s a very Fun

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9:19

Episode 440: U-Turns and Uncertainty – The Trump...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/16

Today, Martha, Les, Andy, and Jess unpack the Trump administration’s latest mixed signals on Iran. After U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff publicly suggested the U.S. might accept uranium enrichment at levels allowed under the JCPOA, the statement was quickly walked back—raising major questions about whether the administration has a coherent strategy for talks with Tehran.What is the Trump administration’s actual position on Iran’s nuclear program? Is Witkoff—despite his lack of diplomatic

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12:02

Episode 439: Burn It Down—Marocco’s Exit and the...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/14

Today, Les, Martha, and Jess unpack the surprise departure of Pete Marocco, Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, the architect behind the Trump administration’s dismantling of U.S. foreign assistance. In less than three months, USAID has been effectively gutted, with over 6,000 programs under review and thousands of jobs in the U.S. and abroad at risk. Marocco’s approach—mirroring Elon Musk’s soon-ending stint at DOGE—has thrown American aid policy into turmoil just as China deepens its

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7:51

Episode 438: Shifting Lines—Reduced Troops,...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/11

Today, Jess, Morgan, Amy, and Algene dive into the shifting dynamics of European security as the Trump administration reportedly considers withdrawing up to 10,000 U.S. troops from the continent, while the head of U.S. European Command and several members of Congress urge against a drawdown. At the same time, European allies are boosting their defense investments, Ukraine is accusing China of direct involvement in the conflict, and the broader transatlantic relationship faces a potential

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7:37

Episode 437: Cobalt, Conflict, and the Congo: A Test...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/09

Today, Martha, Les, Bishop, and Amy discuss the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s plea for a minerals-for-security deal with the United States, as the country faces mounting violence and instability. With $24 trillion worth of natural resources—including critical cobalt reserves—on the line, Rwandan-backed rebel groups have seized key mining hubs in eastern Congo, killing thousands, displacing millions, and igniting regional tensions.What’s in it for Washington, and can the Trump administration

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10:17

Episode 436: Friendly Fire – Tariffs, Allies, and...

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/07

Today, Les, Martha, and Jess unpack the growing global fallout from President Trump’s expanding tariff agenda. With a minimum 10% tariff imposed on all imports – and significantly higher rates hitting key partners like Vietnam and the European Union – the administration’s “America First” approach is straining alliances and undercutting strategic objectives.Will Congress push back before economic strain turns into political blowback? Can national security priorities withstand the ripple effects of a

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18:51

Episode 435: Chaos, Loyalty, and the NSC Shake Up

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/04

Today, Morgan, Les, Amy, and Jess unpack the dramatic firings at the National Security Council, following far-right influencer Laura Loomer’s unexpected meeting with President Trump. In just 24 hours, two rounds of senior NSC officials—including the Commander and Deputy of U.S. Cyber Command—were dismissed, with a third round reportedly imminent. What triggered the purge? A mix of internal power struggles, loyalty tests, and fallout from last week’s Signal Gate scandal.Is the Trump administration

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13:22

Episode 434: Liberation Day or Tax Day?

Fault Lines ·

2025/04/02

Today, Jess, Martha, Morgan, and Amy break down President Trump’s long-awaited “Liberation Day” and the sweeping tariffs that come with it. While the exact details are still emerging, proposals range from a universal 20% tariff on imports to targeted reciprocal tariffs designed to match the duties other nations impose on U.S. goods. The announcement has already triggered domestic backlash and international warnings of retaliation, setting the stage for a potential economic showdown.Will these

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10:57

Episode 433: Greenland Gambit: Allies, Ambitions, and...

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/31

Today, Martha, Morgan, Amy, and Jess unpack rising tensions in the Arctic following Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Greenland and the fallout in Denmark, among the U.S.’s most reliable allies. This visit was a step too far for many in Denmark: Danish public opinion of the U.S. has plummeted, with over 40% now viewing the U.S. as a threat.Danish officials are now publicly questioning American intentions.As Russia reactivates Arctic bases and China eyes Greenland’s resources, why is the U.S

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11:02

Episode 432: Pulled Back, Pushed Aside: Stefanik,...

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/28

Today, Les, Morgan, Martha, and Jess break down the sudden withdrawal of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. A key Trump loyalist and early cabinet pick, Stefanik had already sat through confirmation hearings and staffed up at the UN—but with a razor-thin Republican House majority at risk, the administration pulled the plug.What does this move signal about internal GOP priorities and Trump’s personnel strategy? How will the lack of a confirmed U.S

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11:59

Episode 431: Signal Gate – Leaks, Leadership, and...

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/26

Today, Les, Jeffrey, and Jess unpack the fallout from the Atlantic's bombshell report on leaked Signal messages between top national security officials. The controversy erupted when Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to the "Houthi PC small group" chat by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, exposing sensitive national security discussions taking place over unsecured personal devices—including while one official was in Russia. The revelations raise serious concerns about

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6:35

Episode 430: Erdoğan’s Power Play: The Arrest of...

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/24

Today, Jess, Martha, Les, and Morgan unpack the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu —Turkey’s leading opposition figure and the likely challenger to President Erdoğan in 2028. His arrest sparked mass protests across the country and violent clashes, raising alarms over Turkey’s seemingly accelerating democratic backslide.With Turkey’s geopolitical importance, including its strategic role in NATO —will democratic erosion be overlooked for political convenience? Or as Erdoğan tightens his grip,

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8:34

Episode 429: The Puck Stops Here: Trump, Trade, and...

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/21

Today, Les, Morgan, and Andy dive into Canada’s upcoming federal election, expected as early as the end of April. With Liberal leader Mark Carney gaining ground over Conservative Pierre Poilievre, this race could be the first major international political test of the "Trump effect." Trump’s recent trade attacks on Canada—and his unexpected openness to a Liberal government—appear to be reshaping the political landscape.How are tariffs and rising Canadian nationalism impacting the race? Will this lead

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11:24

Episode 428: Ceasefire or Charade? Breaking Down the...

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/19

Today, Morgan, Martha, Bishop, and Andrew unpack the high-stakes phone call between Presidents Trump and Putin and what it means for the future of the war in Ukraine. The two leaders reached a limited agreement for a 30-day halt on attacks against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure—but just hours later, both sides launched new strikes.Do we really have an agreement? As negotiations move to Jeddah, is the U.S. making progress toward a real peace settlement, or being drawn into Putin’s playbook? And with

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8:25

Episode 427: U.S. Strikes on the Houthis – Deterrence...

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/17

Today, Martha, Les, Morgan, and Jess discuss the latest U.S. strikes on the Houthis in Yemen and whether they will effectively stop further attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been disrupting maritime operations in the region for 17 months—but will this action truly restore deterrence?Is this about targeting the Houthis, or is it really a move against Iran? With Trump designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization and signaling maximum pressure to Tehran, how

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11:20

Episode 426: Greenland Votes, Trump Provokes

Fault Lines ·

2025/03/14

Today, Morgan, Martha, Les, and Jess break down the results of Greenland’s parliamentary elections and what they mean for U.S. strategy in the Arctic. With high voter turnout and the center-right Demokraatit (Democracy) party gaining the largest portion of parliamentary seats, Greenland is navigating a complex path between independence, Denmark, and U.S. influence—just as President Trump openly raises the possibility of annexation.How will Greenland’s new leadership shape relations with the U.S. and

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536 results

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