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, what’s happening in global politics, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better. 

Presented by the Australia Institute.

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

After America

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

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