The allure of America

Reflecting on Trump 2.0

America's war with itself

The midterms & what next

Donald Trump isn’t an aberration – he’s as much a product of American history as JFK or Barack Obama.

On the 50th episode of After America, Nick Bryant joins Dr Emma Shortis to reflect on the second Trump presidency, why division is the default in American political history, and what the United States might look like after Trump.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 15 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.

Guest: Nick Bryant, author of The Forever War: America’s unending conflict with itself // ‪@nickbryantoz

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

Show notes:

The Forever War: America’s unending conflict with itself by Nick Bryant (2024)

When America Stopped Being Great: a history of the present by Nick Bryant (2020)

Our Exceptional Friend: Australia’s fatal alliance with the United States by Emma Shortis (2021)

Polling: Australia-US relations, 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.

Donald Trump isn&rsquo;t an aberration &ndash; he&rsquo;s as much a product of American history as JFK or Barack Obama.
On the 50th episode of After America, Nick Bryant joins Dr Emma Shortis to reflect on the second Trump presidency, why division is the default in American political history, and what the United States might look like after Trump.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 15 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording.
Order After America: Australia and the new world order&nbsp;or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store">australiainstitute.org.au/store</a>.
Guest: Nick Bryant, author of The Forever War: America&rsquo;s unending conflict with itself // ‪<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/nickbryantoz.bsky.social">@nickbryantoz</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://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-forever-war-9781761048623">The Forever War: America&rsquo;s unending conflict with itself</a> by Nick Bryant (2024)
<a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/when-america-stopped-being-great-9781760896232">When America Stopped Being Great: a history of the present</a> by Nick Bryant (2020)
<a href="https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/our-exceptional-friend-by-emma-shortis/9781743797839">Our Exceptional Friend: Australia&rsquo;s fatal alliance with the United States</a> by Emma Shortis (2021)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/polling-australia-us-relations/">Polling: Australia-US relations</a>, the Australia Institute (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>.

The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn’t coming back. 

Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, its impact at home and abroad, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better. 

Presented by the Australia Institute.

The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn&rsquo;t coming back.&nbsp;
Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, its impact at home and abroad, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.&nbsp;
Presented by the Australia Institute.

After America

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Australia Matters

Donald Trump isn’t an aberration – he’s as much a product of American history as JFK or Barack Obama.

The 'better America' bias

New START expiry

Trump administration's nuclear diplomacy

"Nuclear weapons are back with avengeance"

AUKUS & Australia's nuclear capability

What can allies do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Show notes:

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

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

The nuclear option, After America, the Australia Institute (December 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

By removing guardrails around nuclear weapons, the Trump administration is making the world a far more dangerous place.
On this episode of After America, Jon B Wolfsthal, former&nbsp;Special Assistant to President Obama for National Security Affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the expiry of the New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia, AUKUS and Australia&rsquo;s nuclear capabilities, and why &ldquo;nuclear weapons are back with avengeance&rdquo;.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 February 2026 Australian time.
The latest Vantage Point essay,&nbsp;<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
Guest: Jon B Wolfsthal, former Director of Global Risk, Federation of American Scientists // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/jonatomic.bsky.social">@jonatomic</a>
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-has-scrapped-the-long-standing-legal-basis-for-tackling-climate-emissions-275921">Trump has scrapped the long-standing legal basis for tackling climate emissions</a> by Robyn Eckersley, The Conversation (February 2026)
<a href="https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/2026-statement/">It is now 85 seconds to midnight</a>, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-nuclear-option/">The nuclear option</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (December 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="https://theausinstitute-my.sharepoint.com/qnap-nas-tai.tai.local/NAS_Media&amp;Marketing/Podcast/After%20America/Episode%20descriptions/podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

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

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

Washington Post layoffs

AUKUS & the Australia-US relationship

Australian government vs community sentiment

Response to Carney's speech

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

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

This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 February 2026.

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

Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia

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

Show notes:

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

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

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

‘Shorter America This Week:  How to win (or cancel) elections; No START; You should smile more’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

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

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

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).

The 'better America' bias

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After America

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