Trump's Iran clown show

Israel's attacks on Lebanon, Gaza

AUKUS update

Even as the Trump administration facilitates the demise of the international order the United States helped create, the Australian government’s embrace of Aukus ties the two countries ever closer.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss op-shop submarines, the Democrats’ review of the 2024 election, and Trump’s Iran loop.

This episode was recorded on Monday 1 June.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb

Show notes:

Shorter America: The Iran clown show continues; Trump threatens to bomb an ally (again); Trump doesn’t care by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)

Democrats Can’t Avoid a Reckoning with Gaza by Matt Duss, The Nation (May 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Major Aukus switch to buy only secondhand subs from US means ‘significant’ cost savings, Marles says by Tom McIlroy & Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Even as the Trump administration facilitates the demise of the international order the United States helped create, the Australian government&rsquo;s embrace of Aukus ties the two countries ever closer.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss op-shop submarines, the Democrats&rsquo; review of the 2024 election, and Trump&rsquo;s Iran loop.
This episode was recorded on Monday 1 June.
Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to <a href="https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN">the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal</a> before 30 June.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@angusrb</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260529-shorter-america-this-week-the-iran-clown-show-continues-trump-threatens-to-bomb-an-ally-again-trump-doesnt-care">Shorter America: The Iran clown show continues; Trump threatens to bomb an ally (again); Trump doesn&rsquo;t care</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/democats-party-dnc-chair-gaza-genocide/">Democrats Can&rsquo;t Avoid a Reckoning with Gaza</a> by Matt Duss, The Nation (May 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/after-america-vantage-point-issue-1">After America: Australia and the new world order</a> by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/31/aukus-australia-to-buy-only-secondhand-virginia-class-submarines-from-us-significant-cost-savings-richard-marles">Major Aukus switch to buy only secondhand subs from US means &lsquo;significant&rsquo; cost savings, Marles says</a> by Tom McIlroy &amp; Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to After America on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/after-america/id1751661496">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/788c8nelszhzvsxwTzQzGS?si=32cb1a5509704ebb">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/after-america/49b88b40-1809-013d-5deb-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn’t coming back. 

Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, its impact at home and abroad, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better. 

Presented by the Australia Institute.

The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn&rsquo;t coming back.&nbsp;
Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, its impact at home and abroad, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.&nbsp;
Presented by the Australia Institute.

After America

Even as the Trump administration facilitates the demise of the international order the United States helped create, the Australian government’s embrace of Aukus ties the two countries ever closer.