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

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.

Democracy “dies in darkness” and Trump is trying to turn out the lights

Writing American history

Trajectory of the Trump administration

Carney, Albanese & the global response

AUKUS & the Aus-US alliance

The most positive thing

With each passing day, the Make America Great Again movement is becoming more battle-hardened and less likely to disappear once Trump leaves office (whenever that may be).

On this episode of After America, author and former speechwriter Don Watson joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the trajectory of the Trump administration, why Australia can’t avoid the rupture being brought about by the MAGA movement, and where Democratic leadership might come from in a “woefully” split party.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 30 January 2026.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Usually available for $34.95, use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off – offer available for a limited time only.

Guest: Don Watson, author of The Shortest History of the United States

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

Show notes:

The Shortest History of the United States of America by Don Watson, Black Inc. (2025)

‘International cooperation on firefighting shows the best of the Australia-US alliance’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026)

‘Shorter America this week: Protest works; Name reality; It's the end of the world as we know it’ 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.

With each passing day, the Make America Great Again movement is becoming more battle-hardened and less likely to disappear once Trump leaves office (whenever that may be).
On this episode of After America, author and former speechwriter Don Watson joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the trajectory of the Trump administration, why Australia can&rsquo;t avoid the rupture being brought about by the MAGA movement, and where Democratic leadership might come from in a &ldquo;woefully&rdquo; split party.
This discussion was recorded on Friday 30 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. Usually available for $34.95, use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; to get $5 off &ndash; offer available for a limited time only.
Guest: Don Watson, author of The Shortest History of the United States
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.blackincbooks.com.au/books/shortest-history-united-states-america">The Shortest History of the United States of America</a> by Don Watson, Black Inc. (2025)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260129-international-cooperation-on-firefighting-shows-the-best-of-the-australia-us-alliance">&lsquo;International cooperation on firefighting shows the best of the Australia-US alliance&rsquo;</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260130-shorter-america">&lsquo;Shorter America this week: Protest works; Name reality; It's the end of the world as we know it&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>.

With each passing day, the Make America Great Again movement is becoming more battle-hardened and less likely to disappear once Trump leaves office (whenever that may be).

Why MAGA is here to stay with Don Watson

Autocrats cannot rise to power by themselves.

On this bonus episode, Dr Emma Shortis speaks to Justin Bergman, The Conversation’s International Affairs Editor, about Stephen Miller, the key Trump ally who’s been described as the most powerful unelected bureaucrat in the United States – possibly the world.

This episode was made by The Conversation for their six-part series on the rise of Trump, The Making of an Autocrat, which is available wherever you get your podcasts.

After America: Australia and the new world order by Dr Emma Shortis is available from Australia Institute Press for just $19.95.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Usually available for $34.95, use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off – offer available for a limited time only.

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

Host: Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation

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.

Autocrats cannot rise to power by themselves.
On this bonus episode, Dr Emma Shortis speaks to Justin Bergman, The Conversation&rsquo;s International Affairs Editor, about Stephen Miller, the key Trump ally who&rsquo;s been described as the most powerful unelected bureaucrat in the United States &ndash; possibly the world.
This episode was made by The Conversation for their six-part series on the rise of Trump, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-making-of-an-autocrat-podcast-out-now-273457">The Making of an Autocrat</a>, which is available wherever you get your podcasts.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/after-america-vantage-point-issue-1">After America: Australia and the new world order</a> by Dr Emma Shortis is available from Australia Institute Press for just $19.95.
<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. Usually available for $34.95, use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; to get $5 off &ndash; offer available for a limited time only.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Host: Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation
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>.

Autocrats cannot rise to power by themselves – they need an architect.

Our shared humanity

In 2 playlist(s)

After America

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips