If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website, www.lifeline.org.au.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website, <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">www.lifeline.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.

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

Our shared humanity

ICE violence & Trump admin response

Escalation over Greenland

Will Trump strike Iran?

Trump overstretch

From Minnesota to Greenland, the Trump administration is bulldozing guardrails meant to protect human life and dignity.

On this episode of After America, Professor Elizabeth N Saunders from Columbia University joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the “chaotic cruelty” of the Trump administration, its escalation of hostilities over Greenland and whether it will strike Iran.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 13 January (AEDT) 2026.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off.

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

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

Show notes:

‘What happens now in Venezuela – and the world?’ by Elizabeth N Saunders, Good Authority (January 2026)

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

‘Reluctance to look at US with "clear eyes" becoming increasingly untenable: US expert’ by Tegan George, The Point (January 2026)

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

From Minnesota to Greenland, the Trump administration is bulldozing guardrails meant to protect human life and dignity.
On this episode of After America, Professor Elizabeth N Saunders from Columbia University joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the &ldquo;chaotic cruelty&rdquo; of the Trump administration, its escalation of hostilities over Greenland and whether it will strike Iran.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 13 January (AEDT) 2026.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery">A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage</a> is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; to get $5 off.
Guest: Elizabeth N Sauders, 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://goodauthority.org/news/what-happens-now-in-venezuela-and-the-world/">&lsquo;What happens now in Venezuela &ndash; and the world?&rsquo;</a> by Elizabeth N Saunders, Good Authority (January 2026)
<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)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260113-reluctance-to-look-at-us-with-clear-eyes-becoming-increasingly-untenable-us-expert">&lsquo;Reluctance to look at US with "clear eyes" becoming increasingly untenable: US expert&rsquo;</a> by Tegan George, The Point (January 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)
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>.

From Minnesota to Greenland, the Trump administration is bulldozing guardrails meant to protect human life and dignity.

"Chaotic cruelty": Trump administration escalating violence at home and abroad

The Trump administration’s imperial march is gathering pace.

On this episode of After America, Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, the credibility of the Trump administration’s threats against Greenland and elsewhere, and the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 9 January 2026.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off.

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

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

Show notes:

‘What you need to know about Trump administration's abduction of Nicolás Maduro’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026)

‘Trump is destroying the rules of international behaviour. Australia can – and must – act now’ by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (January 2026)

Polling – Australia-US Security, the Australia Institute (November 2025)

‘Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break’ by Natasha Betrand, CNN (November 2025)

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

The Trump administration&rsquo;s imperial march is gathering pace.
On this episode of After America, Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro and his wife, the credibility of the Trump administration&rsquo;s threats against Greenland and elsewhere, and the fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
This discussion was recorded on Friday 9 January 2026.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery">A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage</a> is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; to get $5 off.
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/explainers/4136">&lsquo;What you need to know about Trump administration's abduction of Nicol&aacute;s Maduro&rsquo;</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/08/trump-destroying-rules-international-behaviour-australia-reaction">&lsquo;Trump is destroying the rules of international behaviour. Australia can &ndash; and must &ndash; act now&rsquo;</a> by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (January 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/polling-australia-us-security/">Polling &ndash; Australia-US Security</a>, the Australia Institute (November 2025)
<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/politics/uk-suspends-caribbean-intelligence-sharing-us">&lsquo;Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break&rsquo;</a> by Natasha Betrand, CNN (November 2025)
<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 Daisy Dumas and Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (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>.

The Trump administration’s imperial march is gathering pace.

US invades Venezuela, threatens Greenland while ICE wreaks havoc

Conflict with Venezuela

'Double tap' strike

Signalgate

Trump's unpopularity

Defense Secretary Hegseth doesn’t want the US military to fight with “stupid rules of engagement”.

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Angus Blackman discuss the American ‘double-tap’ strike on an alleged drug boat, Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal to share sensitive military information, and why Trump spent a night posting 160 times on Truth Social.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 5 December 2025.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off.

Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now.

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

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

Show notes:

War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End? By Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (May 2025)

What legal experts say about second US strike on Venezuela boat by Lucy Gelder, BBC (December 2025)

Pentagon Report: Hegseth Risked Endangering Troops With Signal Messages, The Atlantic (December 2025)

Trump’s night of 160 posts on Truth Social fuels debate about US president’s stamina by Richard Luscombe, The Guardian (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.

Defense Secretary Hegseth doesn&rsquo;t want the US military to fight with &ldquo;stupid rules of engagement&rdquo;.
On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Angus Blackman discuss the American &lsquo;double-tap&rsquo; strike on an alleged drug boat, Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s use of Signal to share sensitive military information, and why Trump spent a night posting 160 times on Truth Social.
This discussion was recorded on Friday 5 December 2025.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery">A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage</a> is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; to get $5 off.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/aiming-higher-vantage-point-issue-3">Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia&rsquo;s future</a> by Professor George Williams is also available now.
Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@AngusRB</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/war-crimes-where-do-responsibility-and-accountability-start-and-end/">War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End?</a> By Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (May 2025)
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v15zkxpe0o">What legal experts say about second US strike on Venezuela boat</a> by Lucy Gelder, BBC (December 2025)
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2025/12/hegseth-signalgate-trump-defense-pentagon/684997/">Pentagon Report: Hegseth Risked Endangering Troops With Signal Messages</a>, The Atlantic (December 2025)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/02/trumps-truth-social-post-health">Trump&rsquo;s night of 160 posts on Truth Social fuels debate about US president&rsquo;s stamina</a> by Richard Luscombe, The Guardian (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>.

Defense Secretary Hegseth doesn’t want the US military to fight with “stupid rules of engagement”.

Our shared humanity

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After America

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