x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

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 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

news politics

All Episodes

11:05

Fault Lines Episode 587: Satellites, Drones, and...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/24

Today, Morgan, Les, Matt, and John examine China's deepening covert support for Iran, even as Beijing publicly positions itself as a neutral actor. Chinese satellite companies have entered business relationships with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and China is providing intelligence, drones, and missiles that directly enable Iranian-backed threats — while the United States has seized a ship delivering Chinese goods to Iran.What does China's satellite and intelligence support for the IRGC

en

14:33

Fault Lines Episode 586: Schrödinger's Ceasefire:...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/22

Today, Les, Jess, Andy, Morgan, and John dig into the latest developments in the U.S.-Iran standoff following Trump's declaration of a ceasefire with no defined end and the collapse of talks that were expected to take place in Pakistan. American strikes have severely degraded Iran's nuclear capabilities and wounded its proxy network, yet a durable resolution remains elusive. Tehran has blocked itself in by refusing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the administration now acknowledges it is

en

12:32

Fault Lines Episode 585: Ceasefire in Name Only:...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/20

Today, Jess, Jamil, Les, and Algene dig into the uncertain end of the U.S.–Iran ceasefire—and whether it functioned as a true ceasefire at all. With the agreement set to expire Wednesday, the past several days have seen a series of developments: the opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. seizure of an Iranian-linked vessel, and growing questions about decision-making inside Tehran. Both sides have taken enforcement actions at sea while accusing the other of violating the terms of the

en

11:51

Fault Lines Episode 584: An Ancient Rivalry Returns:...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/17

Today, Les, Jess, and Marc examine the tensions between President Trump and newly elected Pope Leo XIV after the pontiff made remarks about the war in Iran that drew a sharp public rebuke from the President and Vice President. The clash highlights a conflict as old as Western civilization itself — secular rulers and the Catholic Church have contested authority and influence since at least the Investiture Controversy of 1075. Two figures with genuinely global reach and fundamentally different sources

en

5:59

Fault Lines Episode 583: Breaking the Silence: Israel...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/15

Today, Jess, Matthew, and Andy examine the first direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in more than 30 years. The talks come in the aftermath of Israel’s military offensive against Hezbollah, which has left more than 2,000 people dead and placed the Iran-backed group under sustained military pressure in southern Lebanon. With Hezbollah functioning as Tehran’s powerful proxy on Israel’s northern border, the stakes extend far beyond Lebanon itself.What can these talks realistically achieve —

en

9:25

Fault Lines Episode 582: Hungary Turns the Page: The...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/13

Today, Morgan, Les, Andy, and Amy discuss a major political shift in Hungary, where longtime Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was voted out after 16 years in office. His defeat opens the door for Péter Magyar, a former ally turned challenger, to take the reins. While prime minister, Orbán became a defining figure in European politics—closely aligned with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, frequently clashing with the European Union, and cultivating a populist leadership style. Magyar’s victory signals a potential

en

16:11

Fault Lines Episode 581: China’s Unsinkable Aircraft...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/10

Today, Les, Morgan, Algene, and Marc examine China's accelerating base construction in the South China Sea, with new activity at Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands drawing fresh scrutiny. Beijing has been building artificial islands since launching a major dredging campaign in 2013, insisting the infrastructure is civilian while expanding its military footprint across waterways that carry roughly 30% of global oil trade. International courts have ruled against China's claims, but Beijing has

en

11:38

Fault Lines Episode 580: Whiplash on the Strait:...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/08

Today, Jess, Les, Jamie, and Algene break down a dizzying week in U.S.-Iran policy — from the President threatening to "end Iranian civilization" to declaring a two-week ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has signaled new conditions for ships passing through the strait, as both sides trade proposals during the ceasefire. The White House is calling it a historic military operation but critics argue Iran may be gaining leverage over one of the world’s most critical chokepoints.What has

en

14:18

Fault Lines Episode 579: Behind Enemy Lines

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/06

Today, Morgan, Jess, Les, Jamil, and John discuss the dramatic recovery of an F-15 airman who was shot down over southwestern Iran, evaded enemy forces, and was ultimately rescued in a complex operation that included a last-minute aircraft failure and on-the-ground improvisation. While the mission marks a rare good news story in the ongoing conflict, it also raises serious questions about Iran’s ability to target advanced U.S. aircraft, with both an F-15 and an A-10 reportedly hit in the same

en

11:47

Fault Lines Episode 578: Artemis II: Space Race or...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/03

Today, Les, Jess, Matthew, and Algene discuss Artemis 2's launch this week, sending four astronauts on a ten-day trip around the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 — built with allied partners in Canada and Europe, and costing a fraction of what the original moonshots ran.But while Americans are glued to the launch, China and Russia are quietly teaming up on their own lunar ambitions, with Beijing eyeing a base near the Moon's south pole. Can the U.S. and its allies out-innovate and

en

12:42

Fault Lines Episode 577: Tankers and Tehran: Russia...

Fault Lines ·

2026/04/01

Today, Jess, Jamil, Les, and Morgan unpack how the war with Iran is reshaping global energy markets and giving Russia an unexpected boost. As supplies tighten, the demand for Russian oil has surged and the U.S. has temporarily eased restrictions on certain Russian shipments. At the same time, tensions with NATO and coordination with European partners remain uneven.Is this a temporary stabilization measure or a longer term policy? How does easing restrictions affect the war in Ukraine and Moscow’s

en

11:17

Fault Lines Episode 576: Moscow's Iranian Gambit

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/30

Today, Morgan, Jamil, Les, and Andy examine Russia's deepening involvement with Iran as Moscow's list of reliable partners shrinks. With Assad ousted from Syria, Maduro sidelined, and Cuba caught in an American vice grip, Russia is losing friends fast. Russia and Iran have exchanged weapons, intelligence, and military technology — including Iranian drones now being built in Russia and provided back to Iran. Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly positioned itself for short-term economic gains in Iran's

en

11:35

Fault Lines Episode 575: Pakistan, the Resurgence No...

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/27

Today, Les, Jess, Amy, and Jamie unpack Pakistan’s reemergence on the global stage as a potential intermediary in the U.S.–Iran conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken an active role in negotiations, with President Trump appearing open to Islamabad playing a larger diplomatic role. The outreach includes high-level engagement between U.S. officials and Pakistan’s military leadership, signaling a possible reset after years in which U.S. ties with India sidelined the relationship. Pakistan

en

9:29

Fault Lines Episode 574: Who will be the Persian...

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/25

Today, Jess, Les, Matthew, and Matt unpack the growing uncertainty in Iran as the United States prepares to deploy up to 3,000 additional troops while President Trump advances a 15-point peace plan. At the center of this moment is a fragile leadership picture, with Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly in power but sidelined by injury and inexperience, and figures like Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emerging as potential intermediaries—or future power brokers.Who is actually speaking for the U.S. in these talks,

en

12:15

Fault Lines Episode 573: Missiles and Mixed Signals

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/23

Today, Morgan, Les, Jess, and Matt examine Iran's latest escalation after Tehran launched two intermediate-range missiles at Diego Garcia, a US-UK joint base on Friday. This morning, President Trump announced a five-day pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, claiming weekend progress in talks with Iran. The announcement comes as Iran demonstrates it can now hold more than just the Middle East hostage, with its longer-range capabilities potentially dragging Europe directly into the

en

11:28

Fault Lines Episode 572: Make Ammunition Great Again?

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/20

Today, Les, Jess, and Amy examine the Trump administration's rumored $200 billion supplemental appropriations request for operations in Iran — a figure that would exceed every previous wartime funding request. The request comes alongside whispers of a $1.5 trillion defense budget, a staggering 50 percent increase over last year. Both the House and Senate declined to disapprove military action in Iran, even as questions mount about what the funds will actually cover and whether this signals a

en

8:14

Fault Lines Episode 571: Trump and NATO: Friends or...

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/18

Today, Jess, Les, Andy, and Algene unpack rising tensions between the Trump administration and NATO, as European allies show little appetite for joining a U.S.-led mission tied to Iran—even as they face rising economic stakes. President Trump’s frustration has been clear, underscoring a growing divide despite longstanding alliance ties.Are the U.S. and NATO still aligned, or drifting toward something closer to a “frenemy” relationship? Is Europe reverting to a more cautious posture toward Iran—or

en

11:58

Fault Lines Episode 570: A New Chapter for Cuba?

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/16

Today, Les, Jamil, Morgan, and Jess examine what the Trump administration’s next move on Cuba might look like. Reports suggest Raúl Castro’s grandson may be quietly engaging with U.S. officials, including Marco Rubio. Some proposals envision allowing Cuban-Americans to invest in the island, though questions remain about whether meaningful economic engagement is possible without major political change.What does the administration hope to achieve in Cuba, and would regime change bring lasting reform

en

8:57

Fault Lines Episode 569: AI in the Crosshairs:...

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/13

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Les break down a clash between the Pentagon and Anthropic, a leading AI company. The dispute arose after Anthropic said it does not want its technology used for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons systems, while the Department of Defense insists its tools must remain available for any lawful purpose. When the two sides couldn’t agree, the Pentagon ordered Anthropic’s Claude AI removed from Defense Department networks and Anthropic sued.Who

en

7:59

Fault Lines Episode 568: Trump and Xi: A Summit...

Fault Lines ·

2026/03/11

Today, Morgan, Les, and Jess preview the upcoming Trump–Xi summit scheduled for March 31 in Beijing. Despite the significance of a meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest powers, preparations appear unusually thin. Major head-of-state visits typically involve months of diplomatic groundwork, detailed agendas, and large business delegations, but reports suggest that planning for this summit remains unclear, with few policy objectives publicly identified.What should the United States be

en

599 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci