Fault Lines
345 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 37 ratingsFault 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 Executive Director Jamil Jaffer, NSI Senior Fellow Lester Munson, and NSI Deputy Executive Director Jessica Jones.
Tune in to learn more about the issues dominating headlines and the news stories you may have missed.
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Episodes
Episode 185: Wildlife vs. Oil
February 22, 2023 17:03 - 9 minutes - 4.16 MBToday, Les, Jess, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the initiation of a $10 billion oil project in Uganda to build 10 well pads inside Uganda’s largest national park, which has become yet another flashpoint in the global battle against climate change. What does the Fault Lines team think of Uganda being pressured to forgo its natural resources? How does the World Bank balance promoting economic growth and security in po...
Episode 184: The Ukraine War Turns One Year Old
February 20, 2023 16:47 - 9 minutes - 4.25 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss President Biden's surprise visit to Kyiv and the impending one-year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. What is Fault Lines’ assessment of the war in Ukraine after a year? Is the Biden Administration doing all that it can do to support Ukraine? Will the current on-the-ground stalemate result in an ultimate Russian loss? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to...
Episode 183: Twin Quakes in Syria and Turkey Highlight Relief Challenges
February 17, 2023 16:52 - 8 minutes - 3.74 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and northwestern Syria. The death toll continues to mount, with estimates now exceeding 44,000, along with hundreds of thousands facing displacement. What should the United States, our allies, and the international community be doing to better address the growing crisis in the region? Are sanctions halting any progress in humanitarian aide? Will the Turkish and Syrian regimes be able to step in and pro...
Episode 182: Putin’s Playbook Turns its Page to Moldova
February 15, 2023 17:28 - 7 minutes - 3.35 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s recent accusations of Russia plotting to overthrow her country’s pro-Western government. Ms. Sandu’s remarks follow Ukrainian President Zelensky’s warnings last week that Ukrainian intelligence had intercepted “a detailed Russian plan” to destabilize Moldova. How serious are Russian destabilization efforts in former Soviet governments? What – if any – impact does this development have on the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Does th...
Episode 181: From Balloons to Arms Control?
February 13, 2023 16:52 - 9 minutes - 4.55 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent collaboration of U.S. and Canadian military aircraft to shoot down four separate unidentified objects flying over North America over the past several days. How aggressive should we be with unknown aircraft? When will the U.S. government identify where these aircraft are coming from and what their mission capabilities are? Do these shootdowns mean we are closer to war than we realize? Hear our experts debate these issues and more in less than 1...
Episode 180: DeathStar Link: Russian Bots Celebrate
February 10, 2023 16:53 - 9 minutes - 4.46 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss SpaceX’s recent announcement that it will limit Ukraine's use of its Starlink satellite systems for "offensive" military operations. Starlink has provided critical communication capabilities to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began last February. How will SpaceX’s decision affect the war on the ground? Will depriving Ukrainians of this capability be a massive set back? How involved should the private sector be in military efforts? Hear our experts deb...
Episode 179: Russia-Iran: An Explosive Relationship
February 08, 2023 17:02 - 9 minutes - 4.18 MBToday, Jess, Jamil, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Senior Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the recent development that Moscow and Tehran are moving ahead with plans to build a new factory in Russia that could make at least 6,000 Iranian-designed drones for the war in Ukraine, the latest sign of deepening cooperation between the two nations. How will the growing Iran-Russia relationship impact the current conflict in Ukraine and in future conflicts? I...
Episode 178: The Balloon That Popped
February 06, 2023 16:47 - 9 minutes - 4.47 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the famous Chinese spy balloon that entered the U.S. airspace over Idaho from Canada last week and was ultimately shot down by the U.S. Air Force over the Atlantic Ocean off the Carolina Coast this weekend. Should the balloon have been shot down much earlier? Does the handling of the balloon reflect a credibility issue for this Administration? What does the Fault Lines crew think of the partisan squabbling over the balloon? Hear our experts debate these ...
Episode 177: Middle East Tensions Boiling Over?
February 03, 2023 16:51 - 9 minutes - 4.22 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discussed the recent increase in violent clashes and attacks across the Middle East, which included an Israeli counterterrorism operation in the West Bank, an attack on a synagogue in East Jerusalem, and a drone strike on an Iranian Defense Ministry factory in Isfahan. What should the U.S. be doing in these instances of increased violence in the region? Is the U.S. being aggressive enough in its own counterterrorism operations? How should the U.S. prioritize its ...
Episode 176: South Korea’s Security Jitters
February 01, 2023 16:50 - 9 minutes - 4.44 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discussed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recent announcement made in South Korea that in response to a growing North Korean nuclear threat, the U.S. will increase its deployment of advanced weapons such as fighter jets and bombers to the Korean Peninsula and alongside our South Korean partners. However, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said that South Korea might need nuclear weapons of its own. What can the U.S. do to assure South Korea that the U.S. w...
Episode 175: China Concerns
January 30, 2023 16:48 - 8 minutes - 4.08 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss Air Force General Michael Minihan’s recent memo he sent to forces under his command, which cited Xi Jinping’s third term as China’s supreme leader, an election in Taiwan in 2024, and our own American presidential election in late 2024 as possible stepping stones to a war between the U.S. and China in 2025, precipitated by a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Is a Chinese attack on Taiwan – invasion, blockade, or some combination – likely in 2025? How should the...
Episode 174: Protests in Peru: More than Machu Picchu
January 27, 2023 16:47 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the eruption of protests and violence caused by the Peruvian Congress' removal of President Pedro Castillo after he unsuccessfully tried to dissolve Congress and stage a so-called “bloodless coup.” Though the failed coup has been far from bloodless, with dozens of people killed and nearly 1,000 injured in clashes between Peruvian government forces and protestors. What is the deeper significance of Peru’s political turmoil beyond the closure of Machu Picch...
Episode 173: Turkey Toppling NATO’s Future?
January 25, 2023 16:47 - 9 minutes - 4.26 MBToday, Les, Jess, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Senior Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss Turkish President Erdogan’s recent statement that Sweden should not expect Turkey’s support for its NATO membership following tensions over anti-Islam protests in Stockholm over the weekend. What does the Fault Lines team think of Finland and Sweden joining NATO? How should the U.S. balance its relationship with Turkey and its support of democratic states? Should...
Episode 172: Who’s at Home in Haiti?
January 23, 2023 16:49 - 9 minutes - 4.31 MBToday, Les, Jess, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Senior Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the political turmoil and public health crises happening in Haiti. Haiti has zero elected representatives running the Haitian government, armed gangs are wreaking havoc on the population, and cholera is reemerging as a severe public health threat. What are the real drivers of instability in Haiti? Should the United States and/or the international community inter...
Episode 171: Is the U.S. Tanking on Ukraine Military Aid?
January 20, 2023 16:52 - 7 minutes - 3.59 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent announcement that Britain would send Ukraine one dozen Challenger 2 main battle tanks. The move may pressure other allies, like the United States and Germany which have—at least thus far—refused to provide such high powered weaponry. Should the U.S. ramp up its delivery of more substantive military capabilities? Has the U.S.’s $60 billion in military aid been enough? Do these announcements risk potential escalation w...
Episode 170: China Changes?
January 18, 2023 16:30 - 9 minutes - 4.54 MBToday, Les, Jess, and special guest host NSI Senior Fellow and Senior Principal at Navigators Global Andy Keiser discuss the recent announcement that China’s population declined for the first time since 1961, when the country was wracked by famine as a direct result of horrendous economic planning. China also announced that its economy grew at only 3% last year, the lowest growth rate in history. How will these deep changes to China’s population and economy affect the Chinese Communist Part...
Episode 169: Big Trouble in Big Brazil
January 13, 2023 16:51 - 8 minutes - 3.8 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent storming and occupation of Brazilian government buildings in the capital of Brasilia by thousands of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The Brazilian insurrection immediately drew comparisons to the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol two years ago. Is there a connection between the violence in Brazil and what happened in the U.S. two years ago? What are the differences and similarities between Jan. 6 and the Brazilian insurrection...
Episode 168: The Diplomatic Race to Africa
January 11, 2023 16:55 - 7 minutes - 3.55 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the China’s new Foreign Minister’s first international trip: a weeklong tour of countries across the African continent. The new foreign minister is following in the footsteps of his predecessors, who have for more than three decades started each year with a trip to Africa. This is big news as the U.S. is currently battling China for influence in Africa – among many other regions across the globe. Does China view the continent differently than the U.S. doe...
Episode 167: The Return of the MBS?
January 09, 2023 16:38 - 8 minutes - 4.03 MBToday, Les, Jamil, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the Biden administration’s recent pivot away from retaliating against Saudi Arabia for oil-production cuts to focusing on increased regional security cooperation with Riyadh. Does the Biden administration’s pivot put the U.S. in a better position with the Saudis? How do the Senate and House differ in their approach to Saudi Arabia? How can the U.S. improve relations w...
Episode 166: 11 Degrees of Kevin McCarthy
January 06, 2023 16:55 - 9 minutes - 4.26 MBEpisode 166: 11 Degrees of Kevin McCarthy Today, Les, Jamil, and special guest host Morgan Viña, NSI Fellow and JINSA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, discuss the current deadlock in the House of Representatives that is preventing Rep. Kevin McCarthy from becoming Speaker. This is the first time in 164 years such a battle for leadership has played out in Congress. How does this current House leadership battle affect national security? What should Kevin McCarthy’s next steps be, and...
Episode 165: The Taliban’s Ban on Women Working for NGOs
January 04, 2023 16:57 - 9 minutes - 4.37 MBFault Lines is back! Happy New Year! Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss a recent headline you may of missed during the Winter break. Following the Taliban’s ban of female students from attending universities, the ruling force in Afghanistan recently issued a ban on women working at NGOs in the country. With aid programs supporting more than 28 million people in Afghanistan, this extreme measure has caused outrage. What should NGOs, the UN, and the U.S. do in response to these reactionar...
Episode 164: 2022 Holiday Edition
December 16, 2022 16:39 - 47 minutes - 21.7 MBTune in for Fault Lines’ special annual holiday episode, where some of our favorite panelists return to reflect on the most pressing national security issues of 2022, and what they expected will unfold in 2023. Join Jessica Jones, Jamil Jaffer, Morgan Viña, Martha Miller, Matthew Ferraro, Andy Keiser, and Matthew Heiman as they highlight their Hits and Misses of 2022, as well as take their Fault Lines Final Exam! What do our panelists think will happen to the Iranian regime? What do they th...
Episode 163: PATRIOTism - More Missiles for Ukraine; But is There an Endgame?
December 14, 2022 16:48 - 8 minutes - 4.08 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent headline that the United States is nearing a decision to send PATRIOT air defense missile systems to Ukraine to help counter the barrage of Russian missiles and Iranian-made drones that have been hitting civilian targets and critical infrastructure in Ukraine for months. How aggressive should the U.S. be in supplying both offensive and defensive weapons to Ukraine? Will the PATRIOT systems be enough to support the Ukrainians to intercept attac...
Episode 162: Can the U.S. Depoliticize Detained Americans?
December 12, 2022 16:48 - 9 minutes - 4.21 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison and return to America. Griner was traded for the release of notorious arms merchant Victor Bout. The freedom of Griner has been contrasted by some to former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan’s continued detention in Russia. Did Vladimir Putin intentionally give the Biden Administration a difficult choice in this prisoner exchange? Does the U.S. need a regularized process of freeing prisoners? Are ...
Episode 161: Reagan National Defense Forum Pt. 4 - Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky
December 08, 2022 16:31 - 21 minutes - 9.93 MBToday, in our next "live from RNDF" series, NSI Deputy Executive Director Jessica Jones talks with former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky. How does Amb. Dobriansky see the growing Russia-Chinese partnership impacting geopolitics in the future? How does she view current levels of U.S. support for Ukraine? What does she see being the biggest national security challenge of the upcoming year? Find out Ambassador Dobriansky’s expert insights on these...
Episode 160: Reagan National Defense Forum Pt. 3 - Ellen Lord
December 07, 2022 16:30 - 13 minutes - 6.39 MBToday, in the third installment of our special interview series recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, NSI Deputy Executive Director Jessica Jones talks with former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S), Ellen Lord! How does her former role as Secretary of Defense for A&S inform her view of national security and foreign policy challenges? What technologies will help diversify and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base in the future? How can the D...
Episode 159: Reagan National Defense Forum Pt. 2 - Dr. Nadia Schadlow
December 06, 2022 16:44 - 12 minutes - 5.79 MBToday, in the second installment of our special interview series recorded live at the Reagan National Defense Forum, NSI Deputy Executive Director Jessica Jones talks with former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, Dr. Nadia Schadlow! What is involved in creating a National Security Strategy (NSS)? How does the Biden Administration’s NSS compare and address the threats facing the U.S.? What are the national security challenges we are expecting to face in 2023? Find out Dr. Schad...
Episode 158: Reagan National Defense Forum Kick-off - Rep. Elissa Slotkin
December 05, 2022 16:53 - 16 minutes - 7.58 MBToday, in the first installment of our special interview series recorded on the ground at the Reagan National Defense Forum, NSI Deputy Executive Director Jessica Jones talks with Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08). In what areas does Rep. Slotkin foresee China ramping up its competition with the U.S.? How does she see Russia’s invasion of Ukraine playing out? What does she think the U.S. government is getting right when it comes to ensuring that defense community gets the systems and parts it nee...
Episode 157: The EU, Russian Oil, and Rising Prices: The Biden Dilemma
December 02, 2022 16:47 - 9 minutes - 4.16 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the European Union, the United States, and the G7 negotiations surrounding modifications to the EU sanctions on Russian oil set to go in place early this month. The sanction modifications would set a price cap to limit the revenue Russia can make from its oil exports while also averting a global oil shortage. How can the EU, U.S., and G7 put economic pressure on Russia without causing a global oil supply shock? Will the creation of a price cap be effectiv...
Episode 156: UN - Cuba Embargo
November 30, 2022 16:52 - 8 minutes - 4.08 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the recent UN vote to condemn the U.S. embargo of Cuba for the 30th year in a row – only the U.S. and Israel voted against the resolution. There has been much debate about lifting of the embargo, which has arguably caused much hardship on the Cuban population – with anti-government protests sweeping the region over food and medicine shortages and the government’s response to the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic. Should the U.S. lift the embargo against Cuba o...
Episode 155: Return of the Bibi
November 28, 2022 16:53 - 8 minutes - 3.69 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the implications of Israel Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s return to power, making him the longest tenured prime minister in Israeli history. However, some of his incoming government's coalition partners are of stated concern to the Biden Administration, as they include ultra nationalist parties. How will Netanyahu’s reappearance on the world scene impact American Middle East policymaking? What will be the impact of the Biden Administration appointing a n...
Episode 154: Haiti - Neighbor in Crisis
November 23, 2022 16:37 - 9 minutes - 4.13 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Violent gangs are sweeping the country of 11.54 million people and there are calls for a potential U.S. lead peacekeeping efforts. Why does Haiti matter to U.S. national security? Should the U.S. let Canada take the lead in directing a multinational force to support the Haitian government? Can we expect different results if the U.S. intervenes compared to previous U.S. led operations in Haiti? Hear our experts ...
Episode 153: Iran Goes After the Kurds
November 21, 2022 17:00 - 8 minutes - 3.98 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss the harrowing reports of the use of heavy weaponry by the Iranian government against protesters in the Iranian Kurdish city of Mahabad and the threats to other Kurdish areas in Iran. What does this targeting of Kurdish populations mean and should it change how the U.S. is responding? Is it time for the U.S. to actively encourage regime change in Iran? Hear our experts provide their analysis on our latest episode! Also a reminder, Fault Lines will only b...
Episode 152: North Korean Missiles
November 18, 2022 16:46 - 9 minutes - 4.19 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss tensions on the Korean peninsula. In the last few weeks, we’ve seen a continuous increase in the rate of North Korean missile drills and rhetoric. What should the U.S. do in response? Should the U.S. continue to press for a nuclear-free Korean peninsula? How does China play into U.S. policy vis-a-vis North Korea? Hear our experts provide their analysis on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out this article that...
Episode 151: Kerry, Maduro, and U.S. Policy Towards Venezuela
November 16, 2022 16:42 - 9 minutes - 4.56 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss a moment that many may have missed at COP27 summit, and which has caused an uproar: photos of U.S. Climate Envoy and former Secretary of State John Kerry shaking hands with the disputed president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. Does this interaction at COP indicate a change in U.S. policy towards Venezuela? Why does the contested Venezuelan presidential election from 3 years ago matter? Is Congress doing enough to steer U.S. relations with Venezuela vis-a-v...
Episode 150: Biden meets Xi
November 14, 2022 16:45 - 10 minutes - 4.77 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss what may come out of the highly anticipated meeting occurring today between President Biden and General Secretary Xi Jinping of the Chinese Community Party at the G20 summit. Given Xi Jinping’s recent consolidation of power, how should President Biden approach the relationship with China? Is the Biden Administration missing any opportunities to change Chinese behavior? Hear our experts debate a path forward for one of the most important bilateral relat...
Episode 149: Brittney Griner
November 11, 2022 16:37 - 9 minutes - 4.56 MBToday, Les, Jess and Jamil discuss the news that Brittney Griner has been transferred to a Russian penal colony, where she will serve the rest of nine-and-a-half-year sentence for processing less than a gram of cannabis oil in a vape cartridge. Should the U.S. government do whatever it takes to bring her home? What role does the official U.S. hostage envoy have to play? If we don’t do anything, what message does this send to other U.S. citizens overseas currently being held against their w...
Episode 148: Foreign Interference in America Elections – How Worried Should We Be?
November 09, 2022 16:40 - 8 minutes - 4.07 MBYesterday was Election Day in America. In this episode Les, Jess, and Jamil debate foreign interference in American elections. Earlier this week, powerful Russian businessman and close Putin ally, Yevgeny Prigozhin, admitted that Russia interfered in previous U.S. elections and that it will interfere in American elections going forward. How concerned should Americans be about foreign interference in our elections? What should the U.S. reaction be to threats of election interference by forei...
Episode 147: Olaf Scholz Goes to China
November 07, 2022 16:40 - 9 minutes - 4.22 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s badly timed visit to Beijing. While it is no secret that Germany’s economy is heavily dependent on China, Chancellor Scholz has been the only G7 leader to make the trip to China since COVID-19. Critics argue that Chancellor Scholz’s visit ignores President Xi Jinping’s increasingly authoritarian tactics. Is this visit indicative of a boarder German foreign policy shift towards China? How should the U.S. react when friends a...
Episode 146: Grain Wars or Grain Wins?
November 04, 2022 15:51 - 8 minutes - 4.02 MBToday, Les, Jess, and Jamil debate what the U.S. response should be to Russia threatening to suspend support for grain exports through the Black Sea. Luckily, with the help of Turkey and the UN, Russia decided to restart its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative (which allows for exports of food and fertilizer through the Black Sea). However, this raises the question of what the U.S. should do if Russia pulls out of this agreement and institutes a naval blockade. Should we engage ...
Episode 145: Iranian Protests
November 02, 2022 16:40 - 8 minutes - 3.82 MBFault Lines is back!! Join us for our second episode after our break with a regular cast of characters to get you quickly up to speed three-times-a-week on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America. Citizens have been protesting across Iran for nearly seven weeks, defying a deadly crackdown by security forces. Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil discuss these protests in light of the Iranian regime's increasingly strict crack down. Are these protests different than prev...
Episode 144: COP27
October 31, 2022 16:01 - 10 minutes - 5.02 MBFault Lines is back and revamped! Join us for our first episode in our new format, which gets you quickly up to speed three-times-a-week on the national security and foreign policy debates shaking up America. Today, Les, Jess, and Jamil talk about the upcoming COP27 in Egypt. President Biden will be attending, and all eyes will be on Sharm El-Sheikh as this is the first major public interaction since President Xi Jinping’s power grab last week at the Chinese Communist Party's Congress. Wha...
Breaking Chains: Series Finale - The Islamic Republic of Iran
September 08, 2022 22:43 - 48 minutes - 22.1 MBThis week, we take a deep dive into the Islamic Republic of Iran. What are Iran’s regional and internal ambitions? What is the political history of Iran and how does this explain its actions and intentions? Do human rights exist in Iran? Should the U.S. resurrect the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)? Richard Goldberg is a Senior Advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Rich joins to answer and reflect on these questions. Rich has extensive experience on Iran ...
Special Episode: Afghanistan - One Year On
August 31, 2022 16:37 - 30 minutes - 14 MBThis week marks one year since the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan following its two-decade commitment to fighting terrorism in the country. One year on, we have a country ruled by the Taliban, thousands of Americans and allies stranded within its borders, and a rapidly deteriorating economic, humanitarian and regional security situation on the ground. How many American people and allies are still left in Taliban-governed Afghanistan? What does the future of U.S. commitment look like in the c...
Breaking Chains: North Korea – It’s All About Survival
August 24, 2022 14:55 - 39 minutes - 17.9 MBThis week, we discuss what life is like in North Korea for the average citizen and how the authoritarian government keeps order and control over the lives of ordinary North Koreans. Do human rights even exist in North Korea? What motivates the North Korean government to perpetuate repression? What is the difference between operations and analysis at the Central Intelligence Agency, and what skills are they looking for in prospective intelligence analysts? Yong Lee is the former CIA Dep...
Breaking Chains: Democracy’s Role in Countering Authoritarianism
August 17, 2022 13:13 - 34 minutes - 15.6 MBThis week, we discuss what organizations like the International Republican Institute are doing to help curb the malicious actions of states who repress their people. What are the roles of interests and values in the context of America's foreign policy? What can democratic countries do to counter authoritarian regimes? What is the role of the U.S. Congress in shaping foreign policy, and how this arrangement uniquely American? Dr. Daniel Twining is President of the International Repu...
Breaking Chains: How the United States Tackles Religious Persecution Abroad
August 10, 2022 15:15 - 29 minutes - 13.4 MBThis week, we take a deep dive into the “hot spots” in the world for religious persecution including Nigeria, Burma and Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Samuel Brownback served as the Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom at the U.S. State Department under the Trump Administration. Prior to his service as Ambassador, he served as a Congressman, Senator and Governor of the great state of Kansas. He has a unique perspective of how religious freedom directly relates to our nation’...
Breaking Chains: Russia's War Crimes In Ukraine
August 05, 2022 09:00 - 34 minutes - 15.5 MBThis week, we discuss the tragic war crimes occurring against the Ukrainian people since Russia invaded the country. As we learn this week, this is a common trend when it comes to Russia, and this is not the first time they have repressed and abused their neighbors. How is this unprovoked war impacting the Ukrainian people on the ground? What is the international community doing to bring those who perpetrate these war crimes to justice? Michael Sawkiw, Executive Vice President of the Uk...
Special Episode: Building a Safer Cryptoverse
August 02, 2022 09:00 - 50 minutes - 23 MBIllicit finance poses one of the key national security challenges facing the crypto industry. How do U.S. regulators and policymakers work with stakeholders to implement solutions that may be at odds with crypto’s underlying ethos of decentralization? Is crypto the driving factor behind increased ransomware activity or just a symptom? What lessons can the United States take from other governments, like the EU and the UK, in upgrading our anti-money laundering framework? Ari Redbord, Head ...
Breaking Chains: Inside the PRC’s Surveillance State
July 27, 2022 09:00 - 38 minutes - 17.6 MBThis week, to kick off our summer series on global repression, “Breaking Chains: Fighting the New Global Repressors,” we are taking a deep dive into the surveillance state in the People’s Republic of China, namely, the Xinjiang Province. What technology does the PRC have at its disposal? How has this technology furthered repression of the Uyghur minority group? Geoffrey Cain, author of “The Perfect Police State: An Undercover Odyssey into China's Terrifying Surveillance Dystopia of the Fut...