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.
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.
A majority of Australians now think Donald Trump is a bigger threat to world peace than either Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping. On the 100th episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss new Australia Institute polling on Australians’ views of Trump, the deadlock between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, and what it might take for the Australian government to get out of the AUKUS submarine deal. This episode was recorded on Monday 11 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: It’s not me, it’s you – Australians ready to break up with Trump’s America , the Australia Institute (May 2026) Shorter America: The past is never past; Great (bad) men; Magical thinking by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (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 . 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.
160 years after the American Civil War, the Confederacy is ascendent. On this episode of After America , Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the Trump administration’s withdrawal of troops from Germany, why the United States is losing its war on Iran, and the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act. This episode was recorded on Monday 4 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. Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Hegseth’s ‘paranoia’ of being replaced explains purge of top general — as ally emerges for Army secretary’s role by Steven Nelson, New York Post (April 2026) The FBI Director Is MIA by Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic (April 2026) Return of the king? , After America (July 2024) Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024) Project 2025’s Distortion of Civil Rights Law Threatens Americans With Legalized Discrimination by Mariam Rashid and William Roberts, Centre for American Progress (October 2024) 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.
Violence is a feature of American democracy. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis reflects on yet another appalling yet unsurprising act of political violence in the United States, before Mother Jones journalist James West joins the show to discuss the midterm elections and whether real fractures are emerging in the MAGAverse. This episode was recorded on Thursday 23 April Australian time. 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. Guest: James West, Executive Editor, Mother Jones // @jamespwest Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: Madman theory, continued; Deeper derangement; International solidarity by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026) No Kings Rallygoers in New York Share Their Biggest Fears—and Greatest Hopes by James West, Mother Jones (March 2026) New poll: 55% support impeaching Trump , Strength in Numbers (April 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.
After tearing up the Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Obama, Trump is trying to bomb his way to a better outcome and it’s failing spectacularly. On this episode of After America , nuclear policy expert Jon B Wolfsthal and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US-Iran negotiations, the risks of this conflict metastasising, and how Trump is continuing to break down the guardrails around the use of nuclear weapons. This episode was recorded on Friday 17 April. 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. Guest: Jon B Wolfsthal, US Nuclear Policy Fellow, PAX sapiens // @jonatomic Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: The consequences of not caring; The enemy of your enemy is not your friend; Visions for the future by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026) What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal? , Council on Foreign Relations 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.
The Trump administration’s failure to reach an agreement with Iran to end the war shouldn’t come as a surprise. On this episode of After America , Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the consequences of failure in US-Iran negotiations, the oxymoron of Trump administration “diplomacy”, the future of NATO, and what this all means for Australia. This episode was recorded on Friday 10 April. Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America This Week: Ceasefire?; Madman theory; Group hugs in space by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026) LIAR, LIAR, CEASE ON FIRE! PEP with Chas & Dr Emma Shortis , Planet PEP on YouTube (April 2026) The Wrap: A missed opportunity to face reality by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 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.
The United States and Israel’s war on Iran has been disastrous. On this episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the situation with the Strait of Hormuz, Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, why airport security workers in the US aren’t getting paid, and why, despite plenty of evidence suggesting it’s a terrible deal, some Australian policymakers remain committed to the bit with AUKUS. This episode was recorded on Monday 30 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: Maximum Lethality; Everything has a history; Don't fly with me by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026) Trump is impotently railing against the US’s allies. Albanese is right to avoid the president’s global catastrophe by Allan Behm, The Point (March 2026) Funeral held for three journalists killed by Israeli strike in Lebanon by William Christou, The Guardian (March 2026) Evidence Points to US Scattering Mines over Iranian Village by Trevor Ball, Bellingcat (March 2026) Airports on ICE by Marisa Kabas, The Handbasket (March 2026) AUKUS raucous in Canberra as submarine experts debate Donald Trump’s deal by Andrew Greene, The Nightly (March 2026) Andrew Hastie on Insiders , 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 . 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.
