If the United States government isn’t caring for its own military personnel, how could policymakers expect the US to come to Australia’s aid?

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss concerning reports about conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, the impact of the Trump administration’s cuts to USAID, and the speculation over whether Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will seek the Democratic presidential nomination.

This episode was recorded Friday 14 August.

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

Get your tickets for the Melbourne launch of More Fool Me: how the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss at Cinema Nova in Melbourne on Tuesday 25 August.

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

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

New Game, New Rules by Allan Behm, Australia Institute Press (August 2026)

International law is under attack. Australia can stand up for justice, After America (August 2026)

Shorter America This Week: She's running; Primaries update; Vaccines (and eugenics) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)

Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025)

“Total Whitewash”: New Pentagon Report Claims U.S. Killed No Civilians in Boat Strikes by Nick Turse, The Intercept (August 2026)

USAID fallout: In Nepal, when the aid workers stopped coming, the women and babies started dying by Kristen Gelineau, AP News (August 2026)

The Real Reason Elon Musk Keeps Insisting DOGE Cuts Killed “Zero” Kids by Greg Sargent & Toby Buckle, The New Republic (July 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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.