US sanctions International Criminal Court

America's military footprint in Australia

OpenAI hack of Medicare & regulating Big Tech

Attempts to cordon off the defence relationshi

Covering US politics on the ground

The Australian government has been excruciatingly silent when it comes to standing up for the International Criminal Court and foundations of international law it so loves to talk about.

Journalist Ben Doherty joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Australia’s non-response to the Trump administration’s sanctions on the International Criminal Court, the American military footprint in Australia, and the OpenAI hack of Medicare on this episode of After America.

This episode was recorded on Monday 12 October.

Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia

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

Show notes:

No peace without accountability: Sydney Peace Laureate Navi Pillay, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2025)

The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war? by Ben Doherty, Andy Ball & Nick Evershed, Guardian Australia (September 2026)

OpenAI hack on Australian government reveals anxiety at heart of global artificial intelligence dilemma by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (September 2026)

Shorter America: Things are not normal; Muskism; Good men by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2026)

Theme music: 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.

The Australian government has been excruciatingly silent when it comes to standing up for the International Criminal Court and foundations of international law it so loves to talk about.
Journalist Ben Doherty joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Australia&rsquo;s non-response to the Trump administration&rsquo;s sanctions on the International Criminal Court, the American military footprint in Australia, and the OpenAI hack of Medicare on this episode of After America.
This episode was recorded on Monday 12 October.
Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/no-peace-without-accountability-sydney-peace-laureate-navi-pillay/">No peace without accountability: Sydney Peace Laureate Navi Pillay</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2025)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ng-interactive/2026/sep/07/us-military-bases-in-australia-map-list-spy-satellite-pine-gap">The US now has access to more than half Australia&rsquo;s military bases &ndash; could it drag the country unwillingly into war?</a> by Ben Doherty, Andy Ball &amp; Nick Evershed, Guardian Australia (September 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/26/openai-hack-australian-government-anxiety-global-dilemma-artificial-intelligence">OpenAI hack on Australian government reveals anxiety at heart of global artificial intelligence dilemma</a> by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (September 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/new/261009-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America: Things are not normal; Muskism; Good men</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2026)
Theme music: 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

The Australian government has been excruciatingly silent when it comes to standing up for the International Criminal Court and foundations of international law it so loves to talk about.