Domestic opposition to Trump

Dangling the Insurrection Act

The US and Venezuela

Gaza ceasefire

Russia's war on Ukraine

Understanding the Trump administration

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.

You may not be able to take the &lsquo;president of peace&rsquo; 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&rsquo;s deployment of troops in the domestic United States, the administration&rsquo;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 <a href="https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/aukus_parliamentary_inquiry_now">sign our petition</a> calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/">available now </a>via Australia Institute Press.
Guest: Matt Duss, Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mattduss.bsky.social">@mattduss</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/trumps-tragedy-the-us-becomes-an-autocracy-and-the-presidency-a-dictatorship-266675">Trump&rsquo;s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a&nbsp;dictatorship</a> by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/beyond-the-two-state-solution/">Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel</a>, the Australia Institute (February 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

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.

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