After America

160 years after the American Civil War, the Confederacy is ascendent. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the Trump administration’s withdrawal of troops from Germany, why the United States is losing its war on Iran, and the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act. This episode was recorded on Monday 4 May. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, 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: Hegseth’s ‘paranoia’ of being replaced explains purge of top general — as ally emerges for Army secretary’s role by Steven Nelson, New York Post (April 2026) The FBI Director Is MIA by Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic (April 2026) Return of the king?, After America (July 2024) Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024) Project 2025’s Distortion of Civil Rights Law Threatens Americans With Legalized Discrimination by Mariam Rashid and William Roberts, Centre for American Progress (October 2024) 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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Violence is a feature of American democracy. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis reflects on yet another appalling yet unsurprising act of political violence in the United States, before Mother Jones journalist James West joins the show to discuss the midterm elections and whether real fractures are emerging in the MAGAverse. This episode was recorded on Thursday 23 April Australian time. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Guest: James West, Executive Editor, Mother Jones // @jamespwest Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: Madman theory, continued; Deeper derangement; International solidarity by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026) No Kings Rallygoers in New York Share Their Biggest Fears—and Greatest Hopes by James West, Mother Jones (March 2026) New poll: 55% support impeaching Trump, Strength in Numbers (April 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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

After tearing up the Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Obama, Trump is trying to bomb his way to a better outcome and it’s failing spectacularly. On this episode of After America, nuclear policy expert Jon B Wolfsthal and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US-Iran negotiations, the risks of this conflict metastasising, and how Trump is continuing to break down the guardrails around the use of nuclear weapons. This episode was recorded on Friday 17 April. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Guest: Jon B Wolfsthal, US Nuclear Policy Fellow, PAX sapiens // @jonatomic Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: The consequences of not caring; The enemy of your enemy is not your friend; Visions for the future by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026) What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?, Council on Foreign Relations 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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

The Trump administration’s failure to reach an agreement with Iran to end the war shouldn’t come as a surprise. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the consequences of failure in US-Iran negotiations, the oxymoron of Trump administration “diplomacy”, the future of NATO, and what this all means for Australia. This episode was recorded on Friday 10 April. 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: Ceasefire?; Madman theory; Group hugs in space by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026) LIAR, LIAR, CEASE ON FIRE! PEP with Chas & Dr Emma Shortis, Planet PEP on YouTube (April 2026) The Wrap: A missed opportunity to face reality by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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.

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 Australian government has been trying to placate Trump in order to secure the AUKUS submarine deal – and now we are seeing the results. On this episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the illegal US-Israel war in Iran, the implications of the conflict for the Middle East, and why Australian personnel were on board an American nuclear-powered submarine when it sank an Iranian warship. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 March. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: 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) The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press Iran strikes are Donald Trump’s ninth foreign military action in 14 months by Simon Elvery, 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.

In the MAGAverse, it’s white men who are born to rule – at home and abroad. On this episode of After America, Elizabeth Pancotti from Washington DC-based think tank Groundwork Collaborative joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the State of the Union, Trump’s vile attack on Somali-Americans, and how tariffs are driving up prices in a deeply unequal American economy. This discussion was recorded on Friday 27 February. After America: Australia and the new world order is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘PODVP’ at checkout to get free shipping. Guest: Elizabeth Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy, Groundwork Collaborative // @ENPancotti Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Groundwork Collaborative The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (February 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) 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 ‘president of peace’ has started another war with Iran, with no apparent regard for the consequences. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and the assassination of its leader, Trump and Netanyahu’s cynical messages for the Iranian people, what this war means for nuclear proliferation, and the Australian government’s “deeply disappointing” response. This discussion was recorded on Monday 2 March 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: The Mar-a-Lago model: how Trump is trying to dominate global governance, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Shorter America This Week: The State of the Union is... bad; AI is also bad; But hard times ain't gonna rule my mind 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) 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 ‘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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Trump administration may have killed what remained of the post-war international order, but last week Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered its eulogy. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis discuss the global “rupture” identified by Prime Minister Carney, President Trump’s petulant response, why Trump’s apparent climbdown over Greenland may not save NATO, and what this all means for America’s allies, including Australia. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 22 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. After America: Australia and the new world order is available from Australia Institute Press for just $19.95. Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Special Address by Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, World Economic Forum on YouTube (January 2026) Trump sows ‘chaotic cruelty’ while Canadian PM Carney reminds the world it doesn’t have to play along by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (January 2026) Shorter America this week: Trust is rust; It’s the white supremacy, stupid; Five Eyes goes cross-eyed by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026) Scrambled Europe: insecurity and sentimentality are no basis for strategy by Allan Behm, The Point (January 2026) Photo:World Economic Forum/Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) 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.

American alliances aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. On this episode of After America, Matt Duss joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the Trump administration’s new tariffs against Europe, what if anything it might do in Iran, and its threats to prosecute political opponents. This discussion was recorded on Friday 16 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 – offer available for a limited time only. Guest: Matt Duss, Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy // @mattduss Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: ‘Shorter America this week: everything is gender’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026) ‘How Marco Rubio Went from “Little Marco” to Trump’s Foreign-Policy Enabler’ by Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker (January 2026) ‘Marco Rubio is Trump’s reported secretary of state. How did we get here?’ by Kirby Wilson, Tampa Bay Times (November 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Trump’s nuclear testing claims, American healthcare under RFK Jr.’s leadership, and the misogyny at the heart of key US institutions. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 November 2025. 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ to get $5 off. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Ruth Mitchell, Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // @drruthmitchell Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Medicine price comparison between Australia and the United States by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025) While the rest of the world rushes to hire US scientists that Trump has cut, Australia follows in his footsteps by Tegan George, The Point (November 2025) Man collapses behind Donald Trump during White House announcement by Richard Wood, 9 News (November 2025) As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ by Dhuruv T Patel and Cam N Srivastava, The Harvard Crimson (November 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.

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 the renewal of Pine Gap, and the previously untold account of Dr Liz Cham, former executive assistant in the office of Prime Minister Whitlam, who recalls handing over a mystery letter to an American official just before the Dismissal. The interview with Liz Cham was recorded on Thursday 30 October. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ to get $5 off. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Elizabeth Cham, fellow at the University of Technology Sydney and former executive assistant in the office of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Scripting and production support: Stephen Long Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite Show notes: Did the CIA overthrow the Whitlam government? by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) What Washington really thought of Whitlam before the dismissal by James Curran, Australia Financial Review (November 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 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 Congress’ failure to extend life-saving health insurance tax credits, Trump’s inability to make the Epstein files go away, and whether there is evidence of US involvement in the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. This discussion was recorded on Friday 14 November. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Charlie Lewis, Reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: Opposing Trump, trouble in paradise, the American elite by Emma Shortis, The Point (November 2025) The Democrats were winning the shutdown. So naturally, they caved by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) Did the CIA overthrow the Whitlam government? by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) What Washington really thought of Whitlam before the dismissal by James Curran, Australia Financial Review (November 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.

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 Democratic Party, how the MAGA-verse is responding, and the impact of the longest federal government shutdown in American history. This discussion was recorded on Monday 10 November. Follow Emma’s work at The Point, where she publishes a column on the week in American politics every Monday. Join Emma and Don Watson in conversation in Carlton on Saturday 15 November. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB  Show notes: Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania by Stephen Fowler, NPR (November 2025) Dems Won. Cue the Far-Right Crash-Out by Kiera Butler, Mother Jones (November 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.

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 Australians are less than convinced that we “share values” with Trump’s America. Emma is then joined by Dr Frank Yuan and Allan Behm to discuss Trump’s meeting with Xi and the chaos whirling around the president.  The first part of this discussion was recorded on Friday 31st October. The second part was recorded on Monday 3rd November.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press.  Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International Affairs, the Australia Institute    Guest: Dr Frank Yuan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Australia Institute // @yuan-frank  Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB  Show notes:  How China Sees the South China Sea: Beijing’s policy and interests in the South China Sea disputes by Frank Yuan, Allan Behm and Rod Campbell, The Australia Institute (October 2025)  What you need to know about the next Trump/Xi meeting by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2025)  American exceptionalism: the poison that cannot protect its children from violent death by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (May 2022)  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. 

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 Venezuela, negotiations over Gaza and Ukraine, and what it really means when the President makes a promise. This discussion was recorded on Friday 24 October 2025. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Matt Duss, Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy // @mattduss Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025) Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel, the Australia Institute (February 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.

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 Australia is still unlikely to receive any Virginia-class submarines, why the “shared values” that supposedly underpin the Australia-US alliance are looking increasingly shaky, and Trump’s bizarre AI video showing himself dropping excrement on protesters. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis is available via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Can Albanese claim ‘success’ with Trump? Beyond the banter, the vague commitments should be viewed with scepticism by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025) Albanese hints US could still seek changes to Aukus agreement amid review by Josh Butler, Guardian Australia (October 2025) Trump’s shutdown power play, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2025) Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025) 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.

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 accountability in international law and the prerequisites for genuine peace. This discussion was recorded on Monday 13 October 2025. Details of Judge Navi Pillay’s Australian events are available on the Sydney Peace Foundation website. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Navi Pillay, Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds, Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations Human Rights (September 2025) Summary of ICJ’s Order of 24 May 2024, United Nations (May 2024) 2025 Peace Prize Citation: Navi Pillay, Sydney Peace Foundation (2025) Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel, the Australia Institute (February 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 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, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the US government shutdown and how the Trump administration is using it to further consolidate power. This discussion was recorded on Friday 10 October 2025. Tickets for America Unravelling, featuring Emma Shortis and Don Watson, on Sunday 19 October at the Queenscliffe Literary Festival are available online. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Elizabeth Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy, Groundwork Collaborative // @ENPancotti Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Trump administration officials seriously discussing invoking Insurrection Act, sources say, NBC News (October 2025) Our PBS is a national treasure, not an international trade barrier, the Australia Institute (April 2025) American Consumers Sour on Trump’s Economy as Health Care Costs Climb, Groundwork Collaborative (October 2025) An Economy on Ice as Americans Prepare for a Health Care Price Fright, Groundwork Collaborative (October 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.

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 include Palestinians in the negotiating process. They also discuss the role of the United States in the Middle East, how power works in foreign policy, and opening up space for a bigger discussion about foreign policy here in Australia. This episode was recorded on Friday 3 October. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Antoun Issa, Founder, DeepCut // @antounissa Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel, the Australia Institute (February 2025) Australians overwhelmingly back sanctions on Israel, new poll finds by Alex McKinnon, DeepCut (October 2025) Tony Blair Should Be on Trial for War Crimes, Not Running Gaza by Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo (October 2025) Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds, United Nations Commission for Human Rights (September 2025) Skewering History: the odious politics of counting Gaza’s dead by Richard Hil and Gideon Polya, Arena (July 2025) The Aspiring Novelist Who Became Obama’s Foreign-Policy Guru: How Ben Rhodes rewrote the rules of diplomacy for the digital age by David Samuels, New York Times Magazine (May 2016) 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’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. 

After a rocky week for Australian diplomacy, Prime Minister Albanese is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly...and maybe, just maybe, a meeting with President Trump. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the MAGA movement’s weaponisation of Charlie Kirk’s murder, why no Trump meeting might be the best outcome for Anthony Albanese, formal recognition of Palestine, and Australia’s disastrous fortnight of Pacific diplomacy. This episode was recorded on Monday 22 September. ‘Save Tuvalu, Save the World’ is our September Politics in the Pub – join us at 6.30pm on Wednesday 24 September live in Canberra or via the livestream. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation is the latest sign we’re witnessing the end of US democracy by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (September 2025) Australia’s failure of diplomacy in PNG shows we can’t – and won’t – understand our Pacific neighbours by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (September 2025) Anote Tong & Dr Monique Ryan MP | Melbourne, the Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024) Rt Hon Enele Sopoaga PC - Keynote | Climate Integrity Summit 2024, The Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024) Is Australia REALLY choosing to help our Pacific neighbours? The Australia Institute on YouTube (August 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.

Instead of trying bring Americans together after the latest act of political violence, the Trump administration is fanning the flames of division. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Elon Musk’s latest foray into global far-right politics, and the devastating impact of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda. This episode was recorded on Monday 15 September. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis and Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss are available now via the Australia Institute website. Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: Charlie Kirk Didn’t Shy Away From Who He Was. We Shouldn’t Either by Jamelle Bouie, The New York Times (September 2025) On the Mindless Menace of Violence, Robert F. Kennedy (1968) HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s impact on Americans' health, Fresh Air, NPR (September 2025) RFK Jr. says COVID may have been ‘ethnically targeted’ to spare Jews by Jon Levine, New York Post (July 2023) RFK Jr. says he's "not familiar" with all health program cuts in exclusive interview, CBS News (April 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.

Senior leaders from the Ukrainian Red Cross join us to discuss how international standards in armed conflict are being “compromised”. On this episode of After America, Maskym Dotsenko and Illya Kletskovskyy, the Director General and Deputy Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross, join Allan Behm to discuss the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukrainians, the role of Red Cross in armed conflict, and the importance of international humanitarian law in saving lives and reducing suffering. This episode was recorded on Thursday 4 September. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis and Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss are available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Maskym Dotsenko, Director General, Ukrainian Red Cross Society // @MaksymDotsenko Guest: Illya Kletskovskyy, Deputy Director General, Ukrainian Red Cross Society Host: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Angus Blackman, 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) 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.

Trump is behaving like “an emperor”, enabled by insufficient checks and balances on the power of the Oval Office. On this episode of After America, Professor Elizabeth Saunders from Columbia University joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the extreme volatility of this administration’s foreign policy and how Trump is breaking down the guardrails of American democracy. This episode was recorded on Thursday 28 August. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Elizabeth N Saunders, Professor of Political Science, Columbia University // @profsaunders Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: ‘Imperial President at Home, Emperor Abroad’ by Elizabeth Saunders, Foreign Affairs (June 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.

An imperial revival is occurring under the second Trump presidency. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s deployment of federal authorities to Democrat-voting jurisdictions, land grabs by the Russian and Israeli governments, and what a collapse of American democracy might mean for Australia. This episode was recorded on Friday 22 August. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm and Bob Bowker, The Australia Institute (February 2025) Australia must resist US bullying to increase military spending by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 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.

US President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. But did he get played again?  On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss the fallout from Trump’s meeting with Putin, the Australian government’s commitment to recognising Palestinian statehood, and the not-super-encouraging prospects for American democracy as Trump sics the National Guard on Washington, D.C.  This episode was recorded on Monday 18 August.   You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.  Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb  Show notes:  Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm and Bob Bowker, The Australia Institute (February 2025)  Australia to recognise Palestinian state, Prime Minister of Australia (August 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. 

“Probably not...”  On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss how Trump is normalising the idea that he might not leave the White House once his second term is up. Then, Helen Haines MP, independent member for Indi, joins Emma to discuss her community’s concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza and the growing push for more transparency and accountability in Australian foreign policy.  Emma's discussion with Helen was recorded on Tuesday 29 July. Her discussion with Angus was recorded on Thursday 7 August.  After America will be back on Tuesday 19 August.  You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website.  Guest: Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi // @‪helenhainesindi  Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb  Show notes:  Watch CNBC's full interview with President Donald Trump, CNBC on YouTube (August 2025)  What does Texas redrawing its voting maps mean and why have Democrats left the state? Explained, The Guardian (August 2025)  RFK Jr. is incredibly dangerous, Jamelle Bouie on YouTube (May 2025)  Polling – AUKUS, the Australia Institute (June 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 Gaza to AUKUS, pressure for change is building on Australian foreign policy. On this special crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Glenn Connley to discuss the Australian protests calling for more action to protect Palestinians, the momentum against the troubled AUKUS submarine pact, and Trump’s decision to fire his chief of labour statistics after job growth slowed. This discussion was recorded on Monday 4 August 2025. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: ‘Right moment’? Australia risks losing power and respect on Gaza by Amy Remeikis, The New Daily (August 2025) Palestinian statehood vote at Victorian Labor conference heaps more pressure on PM, by Benita Kolovos, Guardian Australia (August 2025) Polling – AUKUS, the Australia Institute (June 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 courting neo-cons and failing to address cost of living concerns, have establishment Democrats signed the party’s death warrant? On this episode of After America, Assistant Professor Musa Al-Gharbi joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the catastrophic failure of the Democrats to effectively resist Trump’s agenda and whether a new generation of leaders can turn the party around.   This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 9 July 2025. Emma and Musa also did a live event with Alex Sloan in Canberra – the recording is available here.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website.  Guest: Musa al-Gharbi, Assistant Professor in the School of Communication and Journalism, Stony Brook University // @musaalgharbi  Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Show notes:  We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite by Musa al-Gharbi, Princeton University Press (2024)  A Graveyard of Bad Election Narratives by Musa al-Gharbi (November 2024)  The Elite Panic at the Heart of Liberal Attacks on Mamdani by Tressie McMillan Cottom, The New York Times (July 2025)  Common Sense Solidarity, Jacobin (November 2021)  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. 

It’s only been SIX MONTHS. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman take a step back to reflect on what’s happened since Trump was inaugurated in January. Tl;dr: it's all pretty grim. This discussion was recorded on Monday 21 July 2025. 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: Friday essay: Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024) Tracking Trump’s overhaul of the federal workforce, CNN (July 2025) Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts, Boston University 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.

A 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals would help Big Pharma make bigger profits, but it’d be a disaster for Americans’ health. Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and Nobel Peace Prize winner with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss why a growing number of Australians want an AUKUS review, Trump’s pharmaceuticals tariffs, and what the US President can learn from Jane Fonda. This discussion was recorded on Friday 11 July 2025. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Ruth Mitchell, Board Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // @drruthmitchell Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Polling – AUKUS, the Australia Institute (July 2025) Medicine price comparison between Australia and the United States by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Moral Ambition: Stop wasting your talent and start making a difference by Rutger Bregman (April 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 legislation will turbocharge inequality and the climate catastrophe – and it’s all part of the administration’s plan to radically reshape American society. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis discusses how Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will further redistribute wealth from lower and middle class people to the richest Americans, before Josh Bornstein joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court and whether the rule of law is crumbling in the United States. This discussion was recorded on Friday 4 July 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July. Guest: Josh Bornstein, Principal Lawyer, National Head of Employment Law, Maurice Blackburn // @joshbornstein Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: Working for the Brandby Josh Bornstein (October 2024) Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (June 2025) Trump promises a second term focused on immigration and nationalism – as well as revenge and retribution by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (January 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.

Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had signed a trade deal with China. Did it though? On this episode of After America, Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the Trump administration’s confused approach to China and how Australia is navigating these complex relationships. This discussion was recorded on Friday 13 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July. 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 Show notes: Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, the Australia Institute (March 2025) UTS:ACRI/BIDA Poll 2024, Australia-China Relations Institute (June 2024) Remarks by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore (As Delivered), U.S. Department of Defense (May 2025) Don’t fall for NATO’s hyped-up rhetoric on defence spending by Xiao Qian, The Australian (June 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.

It’s never about regime change (until it is). On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites, the comparisons with America’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, and what this decision could mean for Australia. This discussion was recorded on Monday 23 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: As the US chooses destruction over diplomacy in Iran, Australia has to decide between principle and prostration by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 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.

Australia traded sovereignty for security with the AUKUS submarine deal, but it might end up with neither. On this episode of After America, Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s AUKUS review, Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Trump, and why Australia doesn’t share values with the US administration. This discussion was recorded on Monday 16 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Guest: Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister // @TurnbullMalcolm Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: AUKUS is a disaster for Australia. Trump has given us an out – let’s take it by Emma Shortis, The Sydney Morning Herald (June 2025) Australia must resist US bullying to increase its military spending by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025) Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service (February 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.

Musk may be out, but the influence of the tech bros has never been greater. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s dystopian presidency, the administration’s renewed pressure on the Australian government to increase defence spending, and the end of the Trump-Musk bromance. This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: ‘Australia must resist US bullying to increase its military spending’ by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025) ‘Let’s rethink Australia’s national security – and focus on fairness and climate action, not blind fealty to the US’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (June 2025) ‘The Gleeful Profiteers of Trump’s Police State’ by Sophie Hurwitz, Mother Jones (February 2025) ‘How US Intelligence and an American Company Feed Israel’s Killing Machine in Gaza’ by James Bamford, The Nation (April 2024) ‘The Cruelty is the Point’ by Adam Serwer, The Atlantic (October 2018) Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts, Boston University 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.

Trump promised a golden age for the US economy – and now a golden dome to protect the continent. On this episode of After America, Matt Duss joins Emma Shortis to sort the signal from the noise in the Trump administration’s foreign policy. They discuss Trump’s approach to the Middle East, its negotiations with Iran, and the continued influence of China hawks in his Cabinet. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 28 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order After America: Australia and the new world order or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Guest: Matt Duss, Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy // @mattduss Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis 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.

Trump’s confrontation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was about trying to show who’s in charge. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s false claims about ‘white genocide’, the administration’s war on Harvard University, Kamala Harris on the Goldie, and whether Anthony Albanese’s talk about “progressive patriotism” will be backed up with real action. This discussion was recorded on Monday 26 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB 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.