The nuclear option

Trump’s statements about resuming American nuclear testing left administration officials scrambling. On this episode of After America, Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize winner with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the 80th anniver…

Did the US play a role in the Whitlam dismissal?

Rumours about America's role in the dismissal of Gough Whitlam have circulated for decades – but is there any truth to them?  On this special episode of After America, we explore the state of the Australia-United States relationship under the Whitlam government, the machinations at the time around…

"Anti-achievement" Democrats let pressure off Trump

By negotiating an end to the government shutdown without getting anything much in return, some Democrats have gone back to their old trick of resisting the President by giving him exactly what he needs. On this episode of After America, Crikey’s Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Congr…

Democrats sweep to victory after shutdown becomes longest ever

In New York City, California, New Jersey and Virginia, American voters sent Trump and Republicans a clear message. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss the results of last week’s sweeping election victories. They discuss what it all means for the Democr…

"Everything is uncertain": Trump-Xi meeting leaves the world on edge

Trump and Xi may have come to a “deal”, but their meeting was a wasted opportunity. Plus: what do Australians think about our relationship with the US?  On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss some new Australia Institute polling, which shows that Australi…

Trust Trump to be Trump

You may not be able to take the ‘president of peace’ at his word, but you can trust Trump to have his own interests in mind. On this episode of After America, Matt Duss joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s deployment of troops in the domestic United States, the administration’s attacks on Ven…

Albanese visits Trump as US democracy circles a golden drain

Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump was relatively drama-free, but the devil is in the detail when it comes to the president’s ‘commitments’ on AUKUS and critical minerals. On this crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss why Austr…

No peace without accountability: Sydney Peace Laureate Navi Pillay

Donald Trump may have declared the war on Gaza over, but a welcome-but-shaky ceasefire and lasting peace are not the same thing. On this episode of After America, Judge Navi Pillay, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and 2025 Sydney Peace Prize Laureate, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss…

Trump’s shutdown power play

As Trump and his officials look at invoking the Insurrection Act, the administration is using the ongoing government shutdown to lay off workers and consolidate power. On this episode of After America, Elizabeth Pancotti, economic policy specialist and former advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders, joi…

Trump's plan no path to lasting peace

After several failed attempts at brokering a ceasefire, President Donald Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced a 20-point peace plan for Gaza. On this episode of After America, Antoun Issa joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the prospects for a deal that did not includ…