We discuss Trump’s pinky promise to Elon and RFK Jr and Albo’s ‘hot mic moment’ in Tonga.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Alice Grundy reflect on the presidential campaign so far and on the dynamics of the Australia-United States relationship ahead of the third anniversary of the AUKUS deal.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

Join our webinar with Nick Bryant, former BBC United States correspondent and author of The Forever War, at 11am AEST on Thursday 12 September. Tickets are free, but registration is essential.

australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute

Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis

Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicekgt

Show notes:

‘Is America ready to elect a Black woman president?’  by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (September 2024)

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.

We discuss Trump’s pinky promise to Elon and RFK Jr and Albo’s ‘hot mic moment’ in Tonga.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Alice Grundy reflect on the presidential campaign so far and on the dynamics of the Australia-United States relationship ahead of the third anniversary of the AUKUS deal.
This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
Join <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/event/harris-vs-trump-the-contest-for-the-soul-of-america/">our webinar with Nick Bryant</a>, former BBC United States correspondent and author of The Forever War, at 11am AEST on Thursday 12 September. Tickets are free, but registration is essential.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/">australiainstitute.org.au</a> // <a href="http://twitter.com/theausinstitute">@theausinstitute</a>
Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/EmmaShortis">@EmmaShortis</a>
Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/alicektg">@alicekgt</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/is-america-ready-to-elect-a-black-woman-president-237322">‘Is America ready to elect a Black woman president?’</a>  by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (September 2024)
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 <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, 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

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Australia Matters

We discuss Trump’s pinky promise to Elon and RFK Jr, Trump’s Arlington error and Albo’s ‘hot mic moment’ in Tonga.

Jobs for the boys

Iran war update

Lebanon update

US domestic politics

US-Australia relations & AUKUS

The United States and Israel’s war on Iran has been disastrous.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the situation with the Strait of Hormuz, Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, why airport security workers in the US aren’t getting paid, and why, despite plenty of evidence suggesting it’s a terrible deal, some Australian policymakers remain committed to the bit with AUKUS.

This episode was recorded on Monday 30 March.

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

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

Show notes:

Shorter America This Week: Maximum Lethality; Everything has a history; Don't fly with me by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)

Trump is impotently railing against the US’s allies. Albanese is right to avoid the president’s global catastrophe by Allan Behm,The Point (March 2026)

Funeral held for three journalists killed by Israeli strike in Lebanon by William Christou, The Guardian (March 2026)

Evidence Points to US Scattering Mines over Iranian Village by Trevor Ball, Bellingcat (March 2026)

Airports on ICE by Marisa Kabas, The Handbasket (March 2026)

AUKUS raucous in Canberra as submarine experts debate Donald Trump’s deal by Andrew Greene, The Nightly (March 2026)

Andrew Hastie on Insiders, ABC (March 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.

The United States and Israel&rsquo;s war on Iran has been disastrous.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the situation with the Strait of Hormuz, Israel&rsquo;s invasion of Lebanon, why airport security workers in the US aren&rsquo;t getting paid, and why, despite plenty of evidence suggesting it&rsquo;s a terrible deal, some Australian policymakers remain committed to the bit with AUKUS.
This episode was recorded on Monday 30 March.
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, Podcasts, the Australia Institute //&nbsp; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@angusrb</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260327-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America This Week: Maximum Lethality; Everything has a history; Don't fly with me</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2026/mar/30/trump-is-impotently-railing-against-the-uss-allies-albanese-is-right-to-avoid-the-presidents-global-catastrophe">Trump is impotently railing against the US&rsquo;s allies. Albanese is right to avoid the president&rsquo;s global catastrophe</a> by Allan Behm, The Point (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/28/lebanon-condemns-blatant-war-crime-israel-kills-three-journalists">Funeral held for three journalists killed by Israeli strike in Lebanon</a> by William Christou, The Guardian (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/03/26/us-iran-mines-israel-village-missile-munitions-weapons-war-conflict/">Evidence Points to US Scattering Mines over Iranian Village</a> by Trevor Ball, Bellingcat (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.thehandbasket.co/p/ice-agents-airport-homan-atlanta-houston">Airports on ICE</a> by Marisa Kabas, The Handbasket (March 2026)
<a href="https://thenightly.com.au/politics/aukus-raucous-in-canberra-as-submarine-experts-debate-donald-trumps-deal--c-22058081">AUKUS raucous in Canberra as submarine experts debate Donald Trump&rsquo;s deal</a> by Andrew Greene, The Nightly (March 2026)
<a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/insiders/series/0/video/NC2605C010S00">Andrew Hastie on Insiders</a>, ABC (March 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>.

The United States and Israel’s war on Iran has been disastrous.

The US has left itself with no good options in Iran

Situation in Cuba

Impact of Iran war on China

State of US-China relations

Implications for Australia

Far from winding down, tit-for-tat threats on civilian energy infrastructure suggest the US-Israel war on Iran may enter a new spiral of violence.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the war on Iran and how American sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, before Professor James Laurenceson joins the show to talk about the impact of the conflict on China and the postponed Trump-Xi summit.

This episode was recorded on Friday 20 and Monday 23 March.

Guest: James Laurenceson, Professor and Director, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney // @j-laurenceson

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

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

Show notes:

Shorter America This Week: History sighs, repeats itself; Surprise: Trump doesn't need allies; A bloodthirsty White House by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)

The attacks on Iran hurt us all by Allan Behm,The Point (March 2026)

Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)

UN chief suggests both sides may be committing war crimes in US-Israel conflict with Iran by Anne McElvoy, Politico (March 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.

Far from winding down, tit-for-tat threats on civilian energy infrastructure suggest the US-Israel war&nbsp;on Iran may enter a new spiral of violence.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the war on Iran and how American sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, before Professor James Laurenceson joins the show to talk about the impact of the conflict on China and the postponed Trump-Xi summit.
This episode was recorded on Friday 20 and Monday 23 March.
Guest: James Laurenceson, Professor and Director, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney // <a href="https://x.com/j_laurenceson">@j-laurenceson</a>
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, Podcasts, the Australia Institute //&nbsp; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@angusrb</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260320-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America This Week: History sighs, repeats itself; Surprise: Trump doesn't need allies; A bloodthirsty White House</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260320-the-attacks-on-iran-hurt-us-all">The attacks on Iran hurt us all</a> by Allan Behm, The Point (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/14/israel-lebanon-ground-invasion-hezbollah">Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say</a> by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/un-chief-guterres-reasonable-grounds-believe-war-crimes-happening-iran-war/">UN chief suggests both sides may be committing war crimes in US-Israel conflict with Iran</a> by Anne McElvoy, Politico (March 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>.

Far from winding down, tit-for-tat threats on civilian energy infrastructure suggest the US-Israel war may enter a new spiral of violence.

Trump nixes Xi summit as Iran war escalates

Update on the war on Iran

Strait of Hormuz

War in the region

Hegseth attacks US media

Australia's response

The Trump administration’s war on Iran is the most “incompetent, incoherent” war the United States has fought in a century, according to one US Senator.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the Trump administration’s apparent failure to plan for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pete Hegseth’s attacks on American media, and the Australian government’s response to the conflict.

This episode was recorded on Monday 16 March.

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

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

Show notes:

Shorter America This Week: Very complete, pretty much; We already know who's next (it's Cuba); Looksmaxxing by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)

Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

Australia’s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press

Iran, not the US, currently has the strategic upper hand by Laura Tingle, ABC News (March 2026)

Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)

Why Donald Trump is losing the war at home by David Smith, The Conversation (March 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.

The Trump administration&rsquo;s war on Iran is the most &ldquo;incompetent, incoherent&rdquo; war the United States has fought in a century, according to one US Senator.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the Trump administration&rsquo;s apparent failure to plan for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s attacks on American media, and the Australian government&rsquo;s response to the conflict.
This episode was recorded on Monday 16 March.
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, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@angusrb</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260313-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America This Week: Very complete, pretty much; We already know who's next (it's Cuba); Looksmaxxing</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/07/labor-fails-to-repudiate-trumpism-australia-is-being-dragged-into-the-us-and-israels-war-against-iran-ntwnfb">Albanese&rsquo;s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules</a> by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/03/australia-support-us-israel-attack-on-iran-gullible-duplicitous-or-both">Australia&rsquo;s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both</a> by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 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
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-14/united-states-iran-war-donald-trump-middle-east-strategy/106436200">Iran, not the US, currently has the strategic upper hand</a> by Laura Tingle, ABC News (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/14/israel-lebanon-ground-invasion-hezbollah">Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say</a> by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-donald-trump-is-losing-the-war-at-home-278079">Why Donald Trump is losing the war at&nbsp;home</a> by David Smith, The Conversation (March 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>.

The Trump administration’s war on Iran is the most “incompetent, incoherent” war the United States has fought in a century, according to one US Senator.

Jobs for the boys

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