Looking back on the US from Australia

Expanding presidential power

Trump's foreign policy

The future of American democracy

The global reaction to Trump

Trump is behaving like “an emperor”, enabled by insufficient checks and balances on the power of the Oval Office.

On this episode of After America, Professor Elizabeth Saunders from Columbia University joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the extreme volatility of this administration’s foreign policy and how Trump is breaking down the guardrails of American democracy.

This episode was recorded on Thursday 28 August.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Elizabeth N Saunders, Professor of Political Science, Columbia University // @profsaunders

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

Show notes:

‘Imperial President at Home, Emperor Abroad’ by Elizabeth Saunders, Foreign Affairs (June 2025)

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.

Trump is behaving like &ldquo;an emperor&rdquo;, enabled by insufficient checks and balances on the power of the Oval Office.
On this episode of After America, Professor Elizabeth Saunders from Columbia University joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the extreme volatility of this administration&rsquo;s foreign policy and how Trump is breaking down the guardrails of American democracy.
This episode was recorded on Thursday 28 August.
You can <a href="https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/aukus_parliamentary_inquiry_now">sign our petition</a> calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/dead-centre-vantage-point-issue-2">available now </a>via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Elizabeth N Saunders, Professor of Political Science, Columbia University // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/profsaunders.bsky.social">@profsaunders</a>
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://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/imperial-president-home-emperor-abroad">&lsquo;Imperial President at Home, Emperor Abroad&rsquo;</a> by Elizabeth Saunders, Foreign Affairs (June 2025)
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>.

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, what’s happening in global politics, 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, what&rsquo;s happening in global politics, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.&nbsp;
Presented by the Australia Institute.

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