Albanese at the White House

Don meets Kevin 07

Gaza and the ceasefire

American democracy teetering

How Australia can respond

Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump was relatively drama-free, but the devil is in the detail when it comes to the president’s ‘commitments’ on AUKUS and critical minerals.

On this crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss why Australia is still unlikely to receive any Virginia-class submarines, why the “shared values” that supposedly underpin the Australia-US alliance are looking increasingly shaky, and Trump’s bizarre AI video showing himself dropping excrement on protesters.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis is available via Australia Institute Press.

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

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Can Albanese claim ‘success’ with Trump? Beyond the banter, the vague commitments should be viewed with scepticism by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025)

Albanese hints US could still seek changes to Aukus agreement amid review by Josh Butler, Guardian Australia (October 2025)

Trump’s shutdown power play, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2025)

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

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.

Anthony Albanese&rsquo;s meeting with Donald Trump was relatively drama-free, but the devil is in the detail when it comes to the president&rsquo;s &lsquo;commitments&rsquo; on AUKUS and critical minerals.
On this crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss why Australia is still unlikely to receive any Virginia-class submarines, why the &ldquo;shared values&rdquo; that supposedly underpin the Australia-US alliance are looking increasingly shaky, and Trump&rsquo;s bizarre AI video showing himself dropping excrement on protesters.
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.
<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 is available via Australia Institute Press.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director of 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://theconversation.com/can-albanese-claim-success-with-trump-beyond-the-banter-the-vague-commitments-should-be-viewed-with-scepticism-267434">Can Albanese claim &lsquo;success&rsquo; with Trump? Beyond the banter, the vague commitments should be viewed with&nbsp;scepticism</a> by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/21/albanese-says-us-could-still-seek-changes-to-aukus-agreement-amid-review">Albanese hints US could still seek changes to Aukus agreement amid review</a> by Josh Butler, Guardian Australia (October 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/trumps-shutdown-power-play/">Trump&rsquo;s shutdown power play</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2025)
<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 dictatorship</a> by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025)
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>.

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump was relatively drama-free, but the devil is in the detail when it comes to the president’s ‘commitments’ on AUKUS and critical minerals.

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