The US-Israel-Iran conflict

The domestic US response

Australia's reaction

AUKUS & the Australia-US relationship

Despite demands from the hawks that the Australia Government fall in line with the United States over Iran, it’s not inevitable that Australia supports illegal American military intervention.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Allan Behm join Ebony Bennett to discuss the American bombing of Iran, the Albanese Government’s choice to back the Trump Administration’s decision, and why upholding and strengthening a rules-based global order is more than just “nostalgia”.

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

Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

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

Guest: Allan Behm, Senior Advisor in International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

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

Show notes:

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war?, After America (June 2025)

As the US chooses destruction over diplomacy in Iran, Australia has to decide between principle and prostration by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025)

Australia needs to find its courage because no matter what Trump says, this is not over by Emma Shortis, The Sydney Morning Herald (June 2025)

War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End? by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (May 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.

Despite demands from the hawks that the Australia Government fall in line with the United States over Iran, it&rsquo;s not inevitable that Australia supports illegal American military intervention.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Allan Behm join Ebony Bennett to discuss the American bombing of Iran, the Albanese Government&rsquo;s choice to back the Trump Administration&rsquo;s decision, and why upholding and strengthening a rules-based global order is more than just &ldquo;nostalgia&rdquo;.
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.
Our independence is our strength &ndash; and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute&rsquo;s <a href="https://theaus.in/EOFY2025FTM">End of Financial Year appeal</a> today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director of International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</a>
Guest: Allan Behm, Senior Advisor in International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social">@ebonybennett</a>
Show notes:
<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 (May 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/why-did-trump-join-the-israel-iran-war/">Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war?</a>, After America (June 2025)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/23/as-the-us-chooses-destruction-over-diplomacy-in-iran-australia-has-to-decide-between-principle-and-prostration">As the US chooses destruction over diplomacy in Iran, Australia has to decide between principle and prostration</a> by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025)
<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/australia-needs-to-find-its-courage-because-no-matter-what-trump-says-this-is-not-over-20250623-p5m9p5.html">Australia needs to find its courage because no matter what Trump says, this is not over</a> by Emma Shortis, The Sydney Morning Herald (June 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/war-crimes-where-do-responsibility-and-accountability-start-and-end/">War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End?</a> by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (May 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.

Despite demands from the hawks that the Australia Government fall in line with the United States over Iran, it’s not inevitable that Australia supports illegal American military intervention.

Advertisement