After America

The United States controls or has access to more than 100 defence facilities on Australian soil, according to new research. On this episode of After America , Dr Richard Tanter joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss his new research on American access to Australian defence facilities, the long-term consequences of the war on terror for the Australia-US alliance, and whether Australia is the only American ally not seriously rethinking its relationship with the United States. This episode was recorded on Friday 11 September. Join Emma and Allan Behm for the Melbourne launch of Allan’s new book , New Game New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times at 6pm on Tuesday 22 September. Tickets to ‘The Last Best Hope of Earth: Reflections on the USA at 250’ at the Celtic Club in Melbourne on Friday 18 September are available here. Guest: Richard Tanter, Senior Research Associate, Nautilus Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Australian Bases & US Involvement The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war? by Ben Doherty, Andy Ball & Nick Evershed, Guardian Australia (September 2026) 9/11: Can the US ever recover? by Allan Behm, The Point (September 2026) Shorter America: Anniversaries; Australia and 9/11; From the rubble by Emma Shortis, The Point (September 2026) New Game, New Rules : A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2026) A suitable piece of real estate: American installations in Australia by Desmond Ball, Hale & Iremonger (1980) 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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nine nuclear weapons states are holding the rest of the world “hostage to annihilation”, but the Australian government is yet to act on a global ban. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis reflects on the United States’ military footprint in Australia, before former Australian Minister for International Development Melissa Parke joins the show to discuss the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This episode was recorded Thursday 26 August. Join Dr Emma Shortis and Allan Behm at 6pm, Tuesday 22 September for the Melbourne launch of Allan’s new book , New Game New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times . Guest: Melissa Parke, Executive Director, International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons // @MelissaParke01 Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons New Game, New Rules : A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2026) The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war? by Ben Doherty, Andy Ball & Nick Evershed, Guardian Australia (September 2026) The U.S. Has Killed 227 Civilians in Boat Strikes During “A Year of Murders” by Nick Turse, The Intercept (September 2026) Shorter America: An unhealthy alliance; Our "good friend" Pete; Oh my god these men (cont.) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australia-United States relationship is strong in spite of the flawed defence partnership. On this episode of After America , Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss 75 years of the ANZUS treaty, the Trump administration’s assault on international law, and what confident, capable Australian foreign policy could look like. This episode was recorded Friday 28 August. New Game, New Rules : A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm is available now from Australia Institute Press for $19.95. Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: ANZUS and Australia’s Security by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (July 2020) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Shorter America: Oh, Dolly; We're not ready; Barely Gettin' By by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What might the midterms mean for an historically unpopular president? On this episode of After America , Chas Licciardello joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the latest from the midterm primaries, the “civil war” between democratic socialist and establishment Democrats, and why Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has MAGA rattled. This episode was recorded Thursday 20 August. 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. Guest: Chas Licciardello, co-host of PEP with Chas and Dr Dave & the ABC’s Planet America Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: New Game, New Rules by Allan Behm, Australia Institute Press (August 2026) Shorter America: They're running?; Oh my god these men (cont.); The weight of America by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026) Australia’s Gaza hypocrisy , After America , the Australia Institute on YouTube (August 2026) Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm & Bob Bowker, the Australia Institute (February 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government constantly talks up the international rules-based order – but its willingness to uphold the principles that underpin it is inconsistent at best. Human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry’s findings of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the Trump administration’s attacks on the institutions of international law, and how the Australian government could act in support of a genuinely rules-based international system. This episode was recorded Friday 7 August. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Guest: Chris Sidoti, Commissioner, UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Australia has a legal obligation to act in response to Israel’s crimes. Here’s how by Chris Sidoti, Guardian Australia (June 2026) Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds , Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations Human Rights (September 2025) Commissioner on the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, United Nations Human Rights Council No peace without accountability: Sydney Peace Laureate Navi Pillay , After America (October 2025). After America: Australia and the New World Order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Shorter America This Week: Michigan sends a message; Who loves AI; Why journalism; Poo jokes (sorry) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fragile men in government and tech are supercharging misogyny in the United States and beyond . Linda Robinson, author of Women in Power: Fighting for Democracy in an Age of Authoritarianism , joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the misogyny of the Trump administration, how Big Tech enables its spread, and the stark realities facing women in politics. This episode was recorded Friday 31 July. 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 , chat online or video call via their website . More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Guest: Linda Robinson, Senior Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations // @lrobinson Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Women in Power: Fighting for Democracy in an Age of Authoritarianism by Linda Robinson, Columbia University Press (June 2026) Shorter America: Red Scare, but make it more embarrassing; Same but for white supremacy; Oh my god these men (cont.) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Faced with an entirely new type of president, the Australian government insists on playing an old game by the old rules. Dr Emma Shortis reflects on Trump’s “joke” about a third term in office at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, before If You’re Listening host Matt Bevan returns to the show to discuss the midterms and Trump’s finances. This episode was recorded Friday 24 July. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Guest: Matt Bevan, journalist and host of If You’re Listening , Australian Broadcasting Corporation // @mattbevan Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Where EXACTLY is Trump’s money coming from? , If You're Listening , ABC News (July 2026) If You're Listening: Declassified by Matt Bevan, HarperCollins (May 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one knows what’ll happen at the November midterms or the next presidential election. Is the Australian government prepared for the worst-case scenario? On this bonus episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis joins Glenn Connley to discuss the upcoming midterm elections in the United States, how the Trump administration has been chipping away at the guardrails of American democracy, and whether the Australian government is prepared for the possibility of disputed elections in its major alliance partner. This episode was recorded Tuesday 21 July. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Trump administration chips away at independent media, faith in democracy , After America , the Australia Institute (July 2026) Christopher Pyne declares AUKUS 'unstoppable', and says Parliament shouldn't vote on it , The Point (July 2026) 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Washington Post journalist Anna Fifield reflects on her time at the paper, the state of American media, and New Zealand’s role in the world. On this episode of After America , New Zealand-based journalist Anna Fifield joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the American media during Trump’s second term, views of the United States and China in New Zealand, and what the Australian government can learn from Kiwi diplomacy. This episode was recorded on Friday 17 July. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Guest: Anna Fifield, New Zealand-based independent journalist and foreign affairs analyst // @annafifield Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: How to steal an election; the US in the World; New and old friends by Emma Shortis, The Point (July 2026) How do Australians and New Zealanders view Asia and the world in 2026? , the Asia New Zealand Foundation (July 2026) Mr Albanese goes to the Pacific (again) by Allan Behm, The Point (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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing The Australia Institute's new podcast series, What's the Point? with Richard Denniss . Subscribe to the show on YouTube , Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. *** On the first episode of What’s the Point? , Richard Denniss discusses the reasons behind One Nation grabbing the headlines, why it is highly unlikely Pauline Hanson will be Prime Minister after the next election and what the current Prime Minister can do to turn things around for Labor. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang This episode was recorded on Friday 26 June. For more research and analysis, visit The Point. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even with his luxury jet grounded, Trump and his administration have flown the United States into a strategic black hole. On this episode of After America , Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the demise of an Iran agreement that never really lived, the latest NATO summit, the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, and the evolution of the Australian government’s diplomacy in the Pacific Island region. This episode was recorded live on Monday 13 July. Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: On China; SCOTUS Season; Book reviews by Emma Shortis, The Point (July 2026) Mr Albanese goes to the Pacific (again) by Allan Behm, The Point (July 2026) PALMed off: The story of modern slavery in Australia , Follow the Money , the Australia Institute (January 2026) How Marco Rubio Is Running Venezuela From Afar by Tyler Pager and Anatoly Kurmanaev, The New York Times (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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in a heat wave, delayed by storms, Donald Trump gave a very Donald Trump speech. We expected that. But what can we expect next? On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the November midterm elections and what they might bring. After Emma’s trip to Brussels and Berlin, they also reflect the contrasts between European and Australian views of the United States. This episode was recorded live on Monday 6 July. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: This World Cup shows who holds the cards in Trump’s economy , After America , the Australia Institute (June 2026) From Europe’s strategic settings to China’s overcapacities – a view through an antipodean lens , Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (June 2026) The 2026 midterm elections , Brookings ‘God is non-binary’: Texas Dem nominee Talarico’s past remarks on abortion, race and gender draw scrutiny by Peter Pinedo & Paul Steinhauser, Fox News (March 2026) STRICTLY BALLROOM! PEP with Chas & Dr Emma Shortis , PEP podcast (October 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump’s “peace” “deal” with Iran is already falling apart. On this episode of After America , Allan Behm joins Angus Blackman to discuss the negotiations between the United States and Iran, where it all went wrong for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and European views of Trump’s America. This episode was recorded live on Friday 26 June. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: How will Australia pay for AUKUS? Submission to AUKUS Public Inquiry by Rod Campbell, Richard Denniss and Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (June 2026) The Iran Disaster Is an Opportunity to Turn Away From Hawkish Idiocy and Reset Our Relationship With the Region by Matt Duss, The Nation (June 2026) Wong and Marles were left waiting in the wings in London – it’s further proof Aukus was never anything more than a political stunt by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 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. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the men’s football world cup underway and after a UFC event on the White House lawn, the relationship between sport and politics seems especially close in the United States right now. On this episode of After America , Dr Lindsay Owens joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss World Cup ticket pricing, the consolidation of corporate power in Trump’s America, the impact of the war on Iran on the US economy, and fighting back against efforts to use misinformation about the economy to demonise migrants. This episode was recorded live on Thursday 11 June. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Guest: Lindsay Owens, Executive Director, Groundwork Collaborative // @lindsayowens Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: Shorter America: America's best writers; Empire of white supremacy; Empire of toxic masculinity by Emma Shortis, The Point (June 2026) Gouged: The End of a Fair Price – and What That Means for Your Wallet by Lindsay Owens, Penguin Random House (forthcoming) As Summer Kicks Off, Memorial Day Staples Up 13% on Average and Travel Prices Soar , Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation (May 2026) It’s not me, it’s you – Australians ready to break up with Trump’s America , the Australia Institute (May 2026) Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, the Australia Institute (October 2025) Homeland Security deploys white nationalist, anti-immigrant graphics to recruit by Caleb Kieffer and RG Cravens, Southern Poverty Law Center (August 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump pledged to reach a better deal with Iran than the Obama administration negotiated in 2015. He hasn’t – and probably won’t. On this episode of After America , foreign policy analyst Matt Duss and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the war on Iran, what the administration might be planning with regards to Cuba, the UFC fight on the White House lawn, and what a more progressive Australia-US alliance could look like. This episode was recorded live on Friday 12 June. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Guest: Matt Duss, Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy // @mattduss Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: Alliances crumble; White supremacy at home and abroad; History matters (always) by Emma Shortis, The Point (June 2026) What’s the Left’s Vision for Foreign Policy After Trump? , The Ezra Klein Show (June 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special episode, we’re joined by two commissioners from the new community-led, independent inquiry into the AUKUS security deal. This episode was recorded live on Thursday 4 June. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Guest: Karina Lester, Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Australia Ambassador Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb Show notes: An independent public inquiry into the AUKUS security partnership ICAN Australia Polling – Australia, the US and Iran War , the Australia Institute (May 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even as the Trump administration facilitates the demise of the international order the United States helped create, the Australian government’s embrace of Aukus ties the two countries ever closer. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss op-shop submarines, the Democrats’ review of the 2024 election, and Trump’s Iran loop. This episode was recorded on Monday 1 June. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb Show notes: Shorter America: The Iran clown show continues; Trump threatens to bomb an ally (again); Trump doesn’t care by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026) Democrats Can’t Avoid a Reckoning with Gaza by Matt Duss, The Nation (May 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Major Aukus switch to buy only secondhand subs from US means ‘significant’ cost savings, Marles says by Tom McIlroy & Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the global upheaval caused by the Trump administration, the Australian government is trying to plough on with AUKUS as if Biden was still in charge. On this episode of After America , Guardian Australia journalist Ben Doherty joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the likelihood of the Australia ever receiving a nuclear-powered submarine, the “dangerously undemocratic” secrecy around key elements of the AUKUS agreement, and Australia’s significantly changed strategic environment. This episode was recorded on Friday 22 May. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Aukus nuclear submarine base would ‘place a massive target on our backs’, NSW labour union warns by Krishani Dhanji & Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026) As Aukus spending and delays blow out, will Australia’s nuclear submarines ever materialise? by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026) Shorter America: Ivy League brain; These men; Shared fates, shared future by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) WEBINAR | Submarine Dreams: understanding Australia’s commitment to AUKUS , the Australia Institute (October 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuck in a quagmire of its own making in Iran, the Trump administration has little to show for its diplomatic efforts in Beijing. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the fallout from Donald Trump’s China visit, how Xi Jinping got the commentariat talking about long-dead Greeks, and why Trump’s approval rating is still hitting new depths. This episode was recorded on Monday 18 May. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro , is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb Show notes: Shorter America: He started it; Won't someone think of the billionaires; Creeps and weirdos by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Trump addresses Xi's WARNING over Taiwan , Fox News on YouTube (May 2026) Trump weighs pause on Taiwan arms sale, Chinese sanctions relief by Jessica Gardener, Australian Financial Review (May 2026) Tracking the presidency , The Economist (May 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 . Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.