Today, Les, Morgan, Bishop, Amy, and Marc break down the latest high-stakes prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Venezuela. Ten Americans held by the Maduro regime were released in exchange for more than 200 Venezuelans via the CECOT Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador.

Is this a foreign policy win for the Trump administration—or a dangerous precedent that raises the price on the heads of Americans abroad? Could this deal mark the beginning of a U.S.-Venezuela thaw, or will Maduro use it for political gain? And what are the human rights and national security implications of using large-scale deportations as diplomatic leverage?

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

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Today, Morgan, Jess, and Andy unpack a turn in U.S. policy toward Ukraine. Earlier this month, President Trump paused military and intelligence aid, only to reverse course days later after internal review. Now, he’s unveiled a new approach: U.S.-made weapons, including Patriot missiles, will be purchased by European allies and sent to Ukraine—bypassing direct U.S. taxpayer funding, replenishing NATO stockpiles and boosting U.S. defense firms. In a sharp policy shift, the administration is now considering sending offensive weapons and has issued a 50-day ultimatum to Moscow: accept a ceasefire or face full tariffs and sweeping secondary sanctions.

Is this a smart reset that shares the burden while keeping pressure on Putin? Does the shift toward offensive weapons contradict Trump's “no more wars” stance? And how will Moscow—and Trump’s own MAGA base—respond as the rhetoric hardens and the weapons shipments grow?

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

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@NotTVJessJones

@morganlroach

@AndyKeiser

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Today, Jess, Morgan, and Matt turn their attention to Sudan, where a civil war that began in 2023 has killed more than 150,000 people and displaced 14 million, driving the country to widespread collapse. With foreign powers backing both sides of the conflict—from Iran and Egypt to the UAE and remnants of Russia’s Wagner Group—the war has become a flashpoint for global power competition and humanitarian catastrophe.

What national security interests does the U.S. have in Sudan—and what are the consequences when Washington steps back? What changes do we see to America's broader approach to Africa? And could President Trump’s ties in the Gulf position him as a broker for peace?

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://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/15/sudan-civil-war-catastrophe-washington/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/15/sudan-paramilitary-forces-kill-almost-300-in-village-raids-say-lawyers

https://www.foxnews.com/world/peacemaker-trump-can-end-africas-biggest-war-says-former-white-house-advisor

Follow our experts on Twitter:

@NotTVJessJones

@morganlroach

@WMattHayden

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