Fault Lines

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 r...

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 tha...

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...

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 Re...

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 messag...

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 stra...

Today, Jamil, Jess, and Morgan discuss Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hungary, where Xi received a warm welcome from Hungarian Prime Minister Vicktor Orban.  After their meeting, Xi and Orban announced that China and Hungary had elevated ties to an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership” and Orban endorsed China's peace plan for Ukraine, going against the rest of the NATO a...

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Martha discuss the upcoming EU Parliament elections where up to 450 million people from 27 member states will elect roughly 700 parliamentary members in the world’s only directly elected transnational assembly. These elections have the power to shape the EU amid the conflict in Ukraine, rise of support for right-wing politics, and many questioning the very purpose of the E...

Today, Jess, Morgan, and Les discussed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Europe where he is visiting three countries: France, Serbia, and Hungary.  On Monday, Xi met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss China’s unfair trade practices and China’s ongoing support for Russia, before receiving a warmer welcome in the two Eastern European countries. Does Europe have the leverage n...

Today Morgan, Les, Bishop, and Andy discuss the recent rocket attack by Hamas on the Kerem Shalom border crossing in Gaza - the main entry point of humanitarian aid. This attack comes as the Biden administration reportedly withheld an ammunition shipment to Israel, and in Cairo, ceasefire and hostage negotiations are ongoing.  Does withholding the ammunition shipment demonstrate a change in p...

Today Les, Morgan, Bishop, and Andy discussed the recent elections in the Solomon Islands in which former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele was elected as Prime Minister. The now-Prime Minister Manele is widely expected to continue the Solomon Islands’ shift toward closer ties with China which has included the derecognition of Taiwan and increasing security and policing ties.  Why do the Solom...

Today Jamil, Les, Morgan, and Bishop discussed the rash of nationwide campus protests against the Israel-Hamas War, focusing on Columbia University where over 100 students were arrested after occupying a building. They also discuss rumors of arrest warrants aimed at Israeli officials from the International Criminal Court and potential U.S. responses. What effect, if any, will the pressure from col...

Today, Jamil, Jess, and Morgan discuss the United States’ decision to begin pulling troops out of Chad and Niger after deteriorating relations with the couped states resulted in demands for U.S. troops to leave. Chad and Niger, have been key U.S. bases against terrorism in the region including Boko Haram, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, ISIS, and affiliated groups. Should the U.S. reprioritize Af...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the New York Times’ report uncovering that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs on the eve of the 2021 Olympic Games. The report also revealed that the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency covered up these results. This report resurfaced the many Olympic scandals that have plagued China. Will this...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China where he will be meeting with senior Chinese officials. On the agenda - potential sanctions against Chinese financial institutions if China continues to support Russia’s build-up of its defense industrial base, including by providing significant quantities of machine tools, microelectronics, drone a...

Today, Jamil, Jess, and Morgan discuss the ongoing Indian general election which began last week and goes through June 1, with over 950 million votes and a million polling places.  The ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seeks to expand its controlling majority from 350 seats to over 400 seats in the Parliament and allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi to obtain an unprecedented 3rd...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss Israel’s response to the over 300 drones and missiles launched against them by Iran earlier this week. Last night Israel struck the airbases near the Iranian city of Isfahan, near where Iran’s nuclear programme is located. The IAEA confirmed that there was no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites.  Will this strike lead to further escalation?  What wa...

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss House Speaker Mike Johnson’s new strategy to pass the long-awaited aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific and his attempts to rebuff members of his own party who seek to oust him through a motion to vacate. What will the resulting aid package look like?  What will the reputational impact for the United States be if the House fails to pass on...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss Iran’s massive drone and missile attack against Israel which occurred over the weekend. Israel, in a coordinated air defense operation with the U.S. and others, was able to intercept 99% of Iran’s missiles and drones.  Israel’s war cabinet met yesterday to formulate a response, while the Biden Administration said the U.S. would not participate in a...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss another ongoing fight within Congress - the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a vital national security program that allows the U.S. to gather intelligence on foreign adversaries and terrorists.  Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump called on House Republicans to "Kill FISA,” leading to 19 GOP H...

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss the ongoing conflicts within the U.S. House of Representatives over the $95 billion supplemental aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.  Embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson faces threats from Republican rabble-rousers to oust him if he brings Ukraine aid to vote on the House floor.  There is also speculation whether House Democrats will support...

Today, Jamil, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss Ecuador’s recent decision to send police officers into the Mexican Embassy in Quito to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted on corruption and bribery charges. The raid has been with met international condemnation and Mexico has severed diplomatic ties with Ecuador. Why did Mexico grant political asylum to Jorge Glas?...

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s second trip to China, where she will advocate for fair treatment of American workers and businesses, press Chinese counterparts on unfair trade practices, and warn of the consequences of Chinese industrial overcapacity. This trip follows a domestic tour by Secretary Yellen to key swing states selling President Biden’s econ...

Today, Jess, Les, and Morgan discuss a recent joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Insider, and Der Spiegel on Havana syndrome – a mysterious illness causing a variety of debilitating symptoms often seen in American diplomats and intelligence officials – that points the finger at Russia. This report contracts the U.S. Intelligence Community’s formal assessment from a year ago that found it...

Today, Jamil, Les, Bishop, and Martha discuss the civil war in Sudan which is entering its second year with a UN report stating that Sudan needs 'immediate action' on hunger to avert widespread death due to famine. Amidst the hunger and conflict, Sudan has seen the outbreak of several deadly diseases including a Cholera outbreak which has impacted thousands.  How can the United States help re...