This week the boss of the Australian spy agency, ASIO, lifted the terror threat level from possible to probable. The last increase in the threat level was in 2014, and it was in response to Islamic extremism. 

This time, the risk to society is different - it is the risk of young men, especially, being radicalised online by a grab-bag of conspiracy theories and far-right grievances, and carrying out a lone wolf attack. 

So what are the social conditions that have led to this evolving threat to our safety? And what can our security agencies do to make us safer? 

Plus, we take a look at the decision by the Reserve Bank to leave rates on hold and the effect this will have on the fortunes of the Albanese government.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.

This week the boss of the Australian spy agency, ASIO, lifted the terror threat level from possible to probable. The last increase in the threat level was in 2014, and it was in response to Islamic extremism. 
This time, the risk to society is different - it is the risk of young men, especially, being radicalised online by a grab-bag of conspiracy theories and far-right grievances, and carrying out a lone wolf attack. 
So what are the social conditions that have led to this evolving threat to our safety? And what can our security agencies do to make us safer? 
Plus, we take a look at the decision by the Reserve Bank to leave rates on hold and the effect this will have on the fortunes of the Albanese government. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5apym">Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter</a>.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

Inside Politics: Lonely men on the internet and why the terror threat was raised

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/43054f14-1218-4da4-b2fc-b1c60059ce07/transcript

It is the largest living structure on earth. And has been around for 600,000 years. But new research out today, shows that the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing the highest ocean heat in 400 years. And this comes after five mass coral bleaching events.

So why has the UNESCO World Heritage committee decided against putting Australia’s most famous environmental landscape on the 'in danger' list? For the third year in a row?

Today, climate and energy correspondent, Mike Foley, on the politics that are putting the Great Barrier Reef close to a point of no return.

It is the largest living structure on earth. And has been around for 600,000 years. But new research out today, shows that the Great Barrier Reef is experiencing the highest ocean heat in 400 years. And this comes after five mass coral bleaching events.
So why has the UNESCO World Heritage committee decided against putting Australia’s most famous environmental landscape on the 'in danger' list? For the third year in a row?
Today, climate and energy correspondent, Mike Foley, on the politics that are putting the Great Barrier Reef close to a point of no return.

Can Australia's greatest natural wonder be saved?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/5f6f4737-77a1-41cd-a4a7-b1c500c172f2/transcript

It has become the story of the Paris Olympics. How many people have been harmed, in the case of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif? And how badly? 

Over the last week, the 25 year old boxer’s body, mind and spirit have been dissected and condemned by powerful voices, far beyond the sporting arena. Donald Trump, JK Rowling and Italian prime minister Giorgio Meloni have, variously, said that Khelif is a man who enjoyed the “distress” of watching her Italian rival crumple to the ground of the boxing ring after only 45 seconds. That Khelif has no business competing in the Olympics against women.

But Imane Khelif is not a man. She is a woman, who has always identified as female.

Today, reporting from the Olympic Games in Paris, chief reporter Jordan Baker on the sporting and geopolitical conflicts that have led to one female athlete falling into the global spotlight. And what it says about those of us watching on.

It has become the story of the Paris Olympics. How many people have been harmed, in the case of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif? And how badly? Over the last week, the 25 year old boxer’s body, mind and spirit have been dissected and condemned by powerful voices, far beyond the sporting arena. Donald Trump, JK Rowling and Italian prime minister Giorgio Meloni have, variously, said that Khelif is a man who enjoyed the “distress” of watching her Italian rival crumple to the ground of the boxing ring after only 45 seconds. That Khelif has no business competing in the Olympics against women. But Imane Khelif is not a man. She is a woman, who has always identified as female. Today, reporting from the Olympic Games in Paris, chief reporter Jordan Baker on the sporting and geopolitical conflicts that have led to one female athlete falling into the global spotlight. And what it says about those of us watching on.

Imane Khelif and the politics of gender and sport

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/df779193-e838-400e-afdc-b1c40058043d/transcript

For more than a week, riots have spread across the United Kingdom, targeting Muslims, and immigrants. And in their wake, the attackers have set buildings and vehicles on fire and left communities in a state of fear.

But how did a stabbing rampage, in a seaside English town, spark what have become the worst riots in the UK in more than a decade?

Today, world editor Nick Ralston, on the real-time violence and terror that have resulted from a devastating misinformation campaign. And how the far right has been exploiting a horrific crime in order to advance its agenda.



Audio credit:
The Southport stabbings: A week that shook a nation, ITV News
Southport stabbings: ‘Lies and propaganda’ on social media led to violence, Times Radio

Further reading:
The obscure Russian-linked ‘news’ website that is fuelling violence on Britain’s streets, Lauren Sheriff, The Telegraph.

For more than a week, riots have spread across the United Kingdom, targeting Muslims, and immigrants. And in their wake, the attackers have set buildings and vehicles on fire and left communities in a state of fear.
But how did a stabbing rampage, in a seaside English town, spark what have become the worst riots in the UK in more than a decade?
Today, world editor Nick Ralston, on the real-time violence and terror that have resulted from a devastating misinformation campaign. And how the far right has been exploiting a horrific crime in order to advance its agenda.
 
Audio credit:
<ul>
<li>The Southport stabbings: A week that shook a nation, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcTp1vxZoaM&amp;t=436s">ITV News</a></li>
<li>Southport stabbings: ‘Lies and propaganda’ on social media led to violence, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icTC1Ha6HqU">Times Radio</a></li>
</ul>
Further reading:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/the-obscure-russian-linked-news-website-that-fuelled-violence-on-britain-s-streets-20240804-p5jzby.html">The obscure Russian-linked ‘news’ website that is fuelling violence on Britain’s streets</a>, Lauren Sheriff, The Telegraph.</li>
</ul>

UK riots: The story behind the murders and misinformation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/a757297d-2ac0-4ec4-aeaa-b1c300bfe8f3/transcript

Inside Politics: Lonely men on the internet and why the terror threat was raised

In 1 playlist(s)

The Morning Edition

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips