Episode 475: Ceasefire Shattered – The Houthis Strike Again

Today, Morgan, Bishop, Jessica, and Algene discuss the return of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, just weeks after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The Iran-backed group has ramped up strikes on commercial ships, most recently hitting a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel with a rocket-propelled grenade and kidnapping several crew members. It’s the second ship sunk in a week – part of a broader campaign targeting nearly 70 merchant vessels since late 2023.

Is the ceasefire dead, and can the U.S. restore deterrence at sea? Are the Houthis expanding Iran’s influence under the cover of the Gaza conflict? And what does this mean for global trade and regional stability?

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.bbc.com/news/articles/c3071vp2d8yo?utm_source=semafor

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@morganlroach

@NotTVJessJones

@BishopGarrison

@AlgeneSajery

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We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/1QH1Y5NyeMo

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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

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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

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

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

Like what we're doing here?

Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.

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/8mLhmrxZaKM

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