Reporting on Trump 2.0

Trump isn't an aberration

Albo's selfie with Trump

Trumpist politics in Australia

As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia’s leader snagged a selfie – and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone’s guess. 

On this episode of After America, Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the apparent obsession of Anthony Albanese’s opponents with that bilateral meeting, the transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, and how Australia’s political landscape is being influenced by MAGA.  

This episode was recorded on Thursday 25 September. 

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

Guest: Charlie Lewis, reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary 

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

Show notes: 

Welcome to the new McCarthyism by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (September 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. 

As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia&rsquo;s leader snagged a selfie &ndash; and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone&rsquo;s guess.&nbsp;
On this episode of After America, Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the apparent obsession of Anthony Albanese&rsquo;s opponents with that bilateral meeting, the transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, and how Australia&rsquo;s political landscape is being influenced by MAGA.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode was recorded on Thursday 25&nbsp;September.&nbsp;
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/">available now </a>via the Australia Institute website.&nbsp;
Guest: Charlie Lewis, reporter-at-large, Crikey // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/theshufflediary.bsky.social">@theshufflediary</a>&nbsp;
Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>&nbsp;
Show notes:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/22/mccarthism-donald-trump-america-united-states/">Welcome to the new McCarthyism</a> by Charlie Lewis, Crikey&nbsp;(September 2025)&nbsp;
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions&nbsp;
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>.&nbsp;

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

As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia’s leader snagged a selfie – and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone’s guess. 

Our mate Donald

Trump and Iran

The "Board of Peace"

Australia, the UN & racism

The ‘president of peace’ is at it again: threatening Iran again and boasting that his ‘board of peace’ will look over the United Nations. 

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the potential consequences if the United States again strikes on Iran, the first meeting of Trump’s grotesque ‘board of peace’, and the striking similarities between a(nother) shamefully racist week in Australian politics and Trump administration rhetoric and policies.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 20 February 2026.

The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

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

Show notes:

Shorter America this week: Will he or won't he on Iran; The Trump doctrine?; On climate, he absolutely will; The only thing more powerful than hate is love by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)

The Wrap: Trump's America is a warning, and Australia keeps treating it like a guide, by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)

How to foster global lawlessness: Destroy the UN and its agencies by Allan Behm, The Point (January 2026)

Talk us through AUKUS by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (February 2023)

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.

The &lsquo;president of peace&rsquo; is at it again: threatening Iran again and boasting that his &lsquo;board of peace&rsquo; will look over the United Nations. 
On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the potential consequences if the United States again strikes on Iran, the first meeting of Trump&rsquo;s grotesque &lsquo;board of peace&rsquo;, and the striking similarities between a(nother) shamefully racist week in Australian politics and Trump administration rhetoric and policies.
This discussion was recorded on Friday 20 February 2026.
The latest Vantage Point essay,&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute
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://thepoint.com.au/news/260220-shorter-america">Shorter America this week: Will he or won't he on Iran; The Trump doctrine?; On climate, he absolutely will; The only thing more powerful than hate is love</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260220-the-wrap-trumps-america-is-a-warning-and-australia-keeps-treating-it-like-a-guide">The Wrap: Trump's America is a warning, and Australia keeps treating it like a guide</a>, by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260217-how-to-foster-global-lawlessness-destroy-the-un-and-its-agencies">How to foster global lawlessness: Destroy the UN and its agencies</a> by Allan Behm, The Point (January 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/talk-us-through-aukus/">Talk us through AUKUS</a> by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (February 2023)
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="https://theausinstitute-my.sharepoint.com/qnap-nas-tai.tai.local/NAS_Media&amp;Marketing/Podcast/After%20America/Episode%20descriptions/podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

The ‘president of peace’ is at it again: threatening Iran again and boasting that his ‘board of peace’ will look over the United Nations.

The Mar-a-Lago model: how Trump is trying to dominate global governance

New START expiry

Trump administration's nuclear diplomacy

"Nuclear weapons are back with avengeance"

AUKUS & Australia's nuclear capability

What can allies do?

By removing guardrails around nuclear weapons, the Trump administration is making the world a far more dangerous place.

On this episode of After America, Jon B Wolfsthal, former Special Assistant to President Obama for National Security Affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the expiry of the New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia, AUKUS and Australia’s nuclear capabilities, and why “nuclear weapons are back with avengeance”.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 February 2026 Australian time.

The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Jon B Wolfsthal, former Director of Global Risk, Federation of American Scientists // @jonatomic

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

Show notes:

Trump has scrapped the long-standing legal basis for tackling climate emissions by Robyn Eckersley, The Conversation (February 2026)

It is now 85 seconds to midnight, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (February 2026)

The nuclear option, After America, the Australia Institute (December 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.

By removing guardrails around nuclear weapons, the Trump administration is making the world a far more dangerous place.
On this episode of After America, Jon B Wolfsthal, former&nbsp;Special Assistant to President Obama for National Security Affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the expiry of the New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia, AUKUS and Australia&rsquo;s nuclear capabilities, and why &ldquo;nuclear weapons are back with avengeance&rdquo;.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 February 2026 Australian time.
The latest Vantage Point essay,&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
Guest: Jon B Wolfsthal, former Director of Global Risk, Federation of American Scientists // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/jonatomic.bsky.social">@jonatomic</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://theconversation.com/trump-has-scrapped-the-long-standing-legal-basis-for-tackling-climate-emissions-275921">Trump has scrapped the long-standing legal basis for tackling climate emissions</a> by Robyn Eckersley, The Conversation (February 2026)
<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/2026-statement/">It is now 85 seconds to midnight</a>, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-nuclear-option/">The nuclear option</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (December 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="https://theausinstitute-my.sharepoint.com/qnap-nas-tai.tai.local/NAS_Media&amp;Marketing/Podcast/After%20America/Episode%20descriptions/podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

By removing guardrails around nuclear weapons, the Trump administration is making the world a far more dangerous place.

The “president of peace” is helping revive the nuclear arms race

Washington Post layoffs

AUKUS & the Australia-US relationship

Australian government vs community sentiment

Response to Carney's speech

As American democracy teeters, the Australian government is trying to pretend everything is just fine.

On this episode of After America, Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia senior reporter covering international affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, the lack of transparency around the AUKUS submarine deal, and why the Australian government still has its head in the sand over Trump.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 February 2026.

The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia

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

Show notes:

‘Possibility of US ever selling Australia nuclear submarines is increasingly remote, Aukus critics say’ by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

‘Australia’s confidence in Trump’s US has evaporated. What will it take for the alliance to rupture?’ by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (January 2026)

‘‘The whole thing disgusts me’: Australians ditch US travel as new rules require social media to be declared’ by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (December 2025)

‘Shorter America This Week:  How to win (or cancel) elections; No START; You should smile more’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 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.

As American democracy teeters, the Australian government is trying to pretend everything is just fine.
On this episode of After America, Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia senior reporter covering international affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, the lack of transparency around the AUKUS submarine deal, and why the Australian government still has its head in the sand over Trump.
This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 February 2026.
The latest Vantage Point essay,&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
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://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/05/aukus-nuclear-submarine-deal-us-australia">&lsquo;Possibility of US ever selling Australia nuclear submarines is increasingly remote, Aukus critics say&rsquo;</a> by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (February 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/16/trump-global-world-order-us-australia-alliance">&lsquo;Australia&rsquo;s confidence in Trump&rsquo;s US has evaporated. What will it take for the alliance to rupture?&rsquo;</a> by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (January 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/11/australia-us-tourism-new-visa-rules-social-media-history">&lsquo;&lsquo;The whole thing disgusts me&rsquo;: Australians ditch US travel as new rules require social media to be declared&rsquo;</a> by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (December 2025)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260206-shorter-america">&lsquo;Shorter America This Week:&nbsp; How to win (or cancel) elections; No START; You should smile more&rsquo;</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 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="https://theausinstitute-my.sharepoint.com/qnap-nas-tai.tai.local/NAS_Media&amp;Marketing/Podcast/After%20America/Episode%20descriptions/podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

As American democracy teeters, the Australian government is trying to pretend everything is just fine.

Our mate Donald

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