Signal whoopsie

Closing the Education Department?

Pushback against Trump

Australia-US tensions

Trump has signed an Executive Order the seeks to dismantle the Federal Department of Education – but can he actually do it?

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump administration group chats, Big Pharma’s big whinge, and the history of conservative efforts to dismantle the federal Education department.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 25 March 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Read more from Emma in the latest edition of Australian Foreign Affairs.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia 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:

‘The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans’ by Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic (March 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 has signed an Executive Order the seeks to dismantle the Federal Department of Education &ndash; but can he actually do it?
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump administration group chats, Big Pharma&rsquo;s big whinge, and the history of conservative efforts to dismantle the federal Education department.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 25 March 2025 and things may have changed since recording.
Read more from Emma in the latest edition of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com/">Australian Foreign Affairs</a>.
Order <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/Whats-the-Big-Idea-p697420081">What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a> now, via the Australia Institute website.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@EmmaShortis</a>
Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@AngusRB</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-administration-accidentally-texted-me-its-war-plans/682151/">&lsquo;The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans&rsquo;</a> by Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic (March 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

Trump has signed an Executive Order the seeks to dismantle the Federal Department of Education – but can he actually do it?

We don't need no Education

Update on the war on Iran

Strait of Hormuz

War in the region

Hegseth attacks US media

Australia's response

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 Trump administration&rsquo;s war on Iran is the most &ldquo;incompetent, incoherent&rdquo; 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&rsquo;s apparent failure to plan for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s attacks on American media, and the Australian government&rsquo;s response to the conflict.
This episode was recorded on Monday 16 March.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@angusrb</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260313-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America This Week: Very complete, pretty much; We already know who's next (it's Cuba); Looksmaxxing</a> by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/07/labor-fails-to-repudiate-trumpism-australia-is-being-dragged-into-the-us-and-israels-war-against-iran-ntwnfb">Albanese&rsquo;s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules</a> by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/03/australia-support-us-israel-attack-on-iran-gullible-duplicitous-or-both">Australia&rsquo;s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both</a> by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/after-america-vantage-point-issue-1">After America: Australia and the new world order</a> by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-14/united-states-iran-war-donald-trump-middle-east-strategy/106436200">Iran, not the US, currently has the strategic upper hand</a> by Laura Tingle, ABC News (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/14/israel-lebanon-ground-invasion-hezbollah">Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say</a> by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-donald-trump-is-losing-the-war-at-home-278079">Why Donald Trump is losing the war at&nbsp;home</a> by David Smith, The Conversation (March 2026)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

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.

“No plan” and no end in sight for Trump’s “little excursion” in Iran

US-Israel war on Iran

Australia's involvement

Implications of the conflict

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.

The Australian government has been trying to placate Trump in order to secure the AUKUS submarine deal &ndash; 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.
<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 just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
You can also <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription">subscribe to the Vantage Point series</a> to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social">@ebonybennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/07/labor-fails-to-repudiate-trumpism-australia-is-being-dragged-into-the-us-and-israels-war-against-iran-ntwnfb">Albanese&rsquo;s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules</a> by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/03/australia-support-us-israel-attack-on-iran-gullible-duplicitous-or-both">Australia&rsquo;s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both</a> by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-us-and-israel-attack-iran-foment-chaos/">The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/after-america-vantage-point-issue-1">After America: Australia and the new world order</a> by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-08/donald-trump-iran-military-actions-australia-response/106411630">Iran strikes are Donald Trump&rsquo;s ninth foreign military action in 14 months</a> by Simon Elvery, ABC (March 2026)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

The Australian government has been trying to placate Trump in order to secure the AUKUS submarine deal – and now we are seeing the results.

AUKUS drags Australia towards US-Israel war on Iran

State of the Union address

Trump's tariffs & the Supreme Court

Attacks on Somali-Americans

How will Democrats respond?

Attacks on the Federal Reserve

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.

In the MAGAverse, it&rsquo;s white men who are born to rule &ndash; 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&rsquo;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.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/after-america-vantage-point-issue-1">After America: Australia and the new world order</a> is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;PODVP&rsquo; at checkout to get free shipping.
Guest: Elizabeth Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy, Groundwork Collaborative // <a href="https://x.com/ENPancotti">@ENPancotti</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://groundworkcollaborative.org/">Groundwork Collaborative</a>
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-us-and-israel-attack-iran-foment-chaos/">The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/07/labor-fails-to-repudiate-trumpism-australia-is-being-dragged-into-the-us-and-israels-war-against-iran-ntwnfb">Albanese&rsquo;s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules</a> by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/03/australia-support-us-israel-attack-on-iran-gullible-duplicitous-or-both">Australia&rsquo;s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both</a> by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 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>.

In the MAGAverse, it’s white men who are born to rule – at home and abroad.

We don't need no Education

After America

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