Today, Jess, Bishop, and Amy break down the latest twist in U.S.-Ukraine policy after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused a critical weapons shipment — reportedly without the White House’s knowledge. The abrupt delay blindsided Ukraine, Congress, the State Department, and European allies. Days later, President Trump reversed the decision following a tense call with Putin and an escalation of Russian drone attacks on Kyiv.

What does this erratic decision-making mean for Ukraine’s defense as Russia’s summer offensive approaches? Does President Trump’s growing frustration with Putin reflect a real shift in his stance? And how are allies interpreting the gap between Trump’s rhetoric and his actions?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/hegseth-halted-weapons-ukraine-military-analysis-aid-wouldnt-jeopardiz-rcna216790?oref=d_brief_nl&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20D%20Brief:%20July%2007%2C%202025&utm_term=newsletter_d1_dbrief

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-told-zelensky-he-wasnt-responsible-for-weapons-holdup-f684444b?st=zMtutV

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/hegseth-did-not-inform-white-house-ukraine-weapons-pause

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/07/trump-ukraine-weapons-shipments/

https://www.axios.com/2025/07/08/trump-putin-bullshit-sanctions-ukraine

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@amykmitchell

@BishopGarrison

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And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/n8NAy3poGZ4

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Today, Morgan, Les and Jess unpack the fast-moving developments around the Trump administration’s global tariff negotiations, as the 90-day pause comes to a close this Wednesday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that tariff letters will be sent to about 100 countries this week, with either deals or formal notifications expected by July 9. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick added that Trump is personally leading many of the negotiations, applying what the administration calls “maximum pressure.” So far, only the United Kingdom, China and Vietnam have locked in deals—leaving the rest of the world guessing.

Is August 1 the final deadline, or another chapter in a shifting timeline of economic brinkmanship? What are the broader implications of these tariffs for U.S. alliances and supply chains? And with Trump directly in the driver’s seat, is this smart negotiating—or strategic overreach?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/06/bessent-trump-tariffs-deadline-august-00440522

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/06/business/bessent-tariff-deadline-trump

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@morganlroach

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/8mLhmrxZaKM

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Today, Martha, Jess, Les, and Amy discuss a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy as the White House lifts most economic sanctions on Syria. For over a decade, those sanctions defined Syria’s economy and global isolation, aimed squarely at weakening the Assad regime during the country’s brutal civil war. But with Assad’s fall late last year and a new interim government under Ahmed al-Shara now in power, the U.S. is signaling support for stabilization and reconstruction, while maintaining targeted restrictions on individuals linked to past atrocities and terrorism.

Is this a genuine turning point for Syria—or a risky bet on fragile leadership? What message does this send to allies and adversaries about the durability of U.S. sanctions? And as reconstruction begins, who gains from Syria’s reintegration—and who’s left behind?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our Fellows’ discussions:

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/30/trump-scraps-syria-sanctions-regime-00433633

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-interested-in-expanding-normalization-treaties-to-syria-lebanon-d583d184

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/world/middleeast/gulf-states-invest-syria-iran.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/14/syria-sanctions-caeser-act-sharaa/

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@marthamillerdc

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@amykmitchell

Like what we're doing here?

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And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!

We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/EX_q4NoqQeQ

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.