After America

Defense Secretary Hegseth doesn’t want the US military to fight with “stupid rules of engagement”. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Angus Blackman discuss the American ‘double-tap’ strike on an alleged drug boat, Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal to share sensitive military information, and why Trump spent a night posting 160 times on Truth Social. This discussion was recorded on Friday 5 December 2025. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End? By Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (May 2025) What legal experts say about second US strike on Venezuela boat by Lucy Gelder, BBC (December 2025) Pentagon Report: Hegseth Risked Endangering Troops With Signal Messages, The Atlantic (December 2025) Trump’s night of 160 posts on Truth Social fuels debate about US president’s stamina by Richard Luscombe, The Guardian (December 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump’s statements about resuming American nuclear testing left administration officials scrambling. On this episode of After America, Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize winner with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Trump’s nuclear testing claims, American healthcare under RFK Jr.’s leadership, and the misogyny at the heart of key US institutions. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 November 2025. 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. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ to get $5 off. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Ruth Mitchell, Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // @drruthmitchell Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Medicine price comparison between Australia and the United States by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025) While the rest of the world rushes to hire US scientists that Trump has cut, Australia follows in his footsteps by Tegan George, The Point (November 2025) Man collapses behind Donald Trump during White House announcement by Richard Wood, 9 News (November 2025) As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ by Dhuruv T Patel and Cam N Srivastava, The Harvard Crimson (November 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rumours about America's role in the dismissal of Gough Whitlam have circulated for decades – but is there any truth to them?  On this special episode of After America, we explore the state of the Australia-United States relationship under the Whitlam government, the machinations at the time around the renewal of Pine Gap, and the previously untold account of Dr Liz Cham, former executive assistant in the office of Prime Minister Whitlam, who recalls handing over a mystery letter to an American official just before the Dismissal. The interview with Liz Cham was recorded on Thursday 30 October. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ to get $5 off. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Elizabeth Cham, fellow at the University of Technology Sydney and former executive assistant in the office of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Scripting and production support: Stephen Long Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite Show notes: Did the CIA overthrow the Whitlam government? by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) What Washington really thought of Whitlam before the dismissal by James Curran, Australia Financial Review (November 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By negotiating an end to the government shutdown without getting anything much in return, some Democrats have gone back to their old trick of resisting the President by giving him exactly what he needs. On this episode of After America, Crikey’s Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Congress’ failure to extend life-saving health insurance tax credits, Trump’s inability to make the Epstein files go away, and whether there is evidence of US involvement in the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. This discussion was recorded on Friday 14 November. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Charlie Lewis, Reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: Opposing Trump, trouble in paradise, the American elite by Emma Shortis, The Point (November 2025) The Democrats were winning the shutdown. So naturally, they caved by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) Did the CIA overthrow the Whitlam government? by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) What Washington really thought of Whitlam before the dismissal by James Curran, Australia Financial Review (November 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In New York City, California, New Jersey and Virginia, American voters sent Trump and Republicans a clear message. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss the results of last week’s sweeping election victories. They discuss what it all means for the Democratic Party, how the MAGA-verse is responding, and the impact of the longest federal government shutdown in American history. This discussion was recorded on Monday 10 November. Follow Emma’s work at The Point, where she publishes a column on the week in American politics every Monday. Join Emma and Don Watson in conversation in Carlton on Saturday 15 November. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB  Show notes: Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania by Stephen Fowler, NPR (November 2025) Dems Won. Cue the Far-Right Crash-Out by Kiera Butler, Mother Jones (November 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump and Xi may have come to a “deal”, but their meeting was a wasted opportunity. Plus: what do Australians think about our relationship with the US?  On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss some new Australia Institute polling, which shows that Australians are less than convinced that we “share values” with Trump’s America. Emma is then joined by Dr Frank Yuan and Allan Behm to discuss Trump’s meeting with Xi and the chaos whirling around the president.  The first part of this discussion was recorded on Friday 31st October. The second part was recorded on Monday 3rd November.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press.  Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International Affairs, the Australia Institute    Guest: Dr Frank Yuan, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Australia Institute // @yuan-frank  Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB  Show notes:  How China Sees the South China Sea: Beijing’s policy and interests in the South China Sea disputes by Frank Yuan, Allan Behm and Rod Campbell, The Australia Institute (October 2025)  What you need to know about the next Trump/Xi meeting by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2025)  American exceptionalism: the poison that cannot protect its children from violent death by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (May 2022)  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. Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may not be able to take the ‘president of peace’ at his word, but you can trust Trump to have his own interests in mind. On this episode of After America, Matt Duss joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s deployment of troops in the domestic United States, the administration’s attacks on Venezuela, negotiations over Gaza and Ukraine, and what it really means when the President makes a promise. This discussion was recorded on Friday 24 October 2025. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Matt Duss, Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy // @mattduss Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025) Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel, 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump may have declared the war on Gaza over, but a welcome-but-shaky ceasefire and lasting peace are not the same thing. On this episode of After America, Judge Navi Pillay, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and 2025 Sydney Peace Prize Laureate, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss accountability in international law and the prerequisites for genuine peace. This discussion was recorded on Monday 13 October 2025. Details of Judge Navi Pillay’s Australian events are available on the Sydney Peace Foundation website. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Navi Pillay, Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds, Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations Human Rights (September 2025) Summary of ICJ’s Order of 24 May 2024, United Nations (May 2024) 2025 Peace Prize Citation: Navi Pillay, Sydney Peace Foundation (2025) Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel, 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Trump and his officials look at invoking the Insurrection Act, the administration is using the ongoing government shutdown to lay off workers and consolidate power. On this episode of After America, Elizabeth Pancotti, economic policy specialist and former advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the US government shutdown and how the Trump administration is using it to further consolidate power. This discussion was recorded on Friday 10 October 2025. Tickets for America Unravelling, featuring Emma Shortis and Don Watson, on Sunday 19 October at the Queenscliffe Literary Festival are available online. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Elizabeth Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy, Groundwork Collaborative // @ENPancotti Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Trump administration officials seriously discussing invoking Insurrection Act, sources say, NBC News (October 2025) Our PBS is a national treasure, not an international trade barrier, the Australia Institute (April 2025) American Consumers Sour on Trump’s Economy as Health Care Costs Climb, Groundwork Collaborative (October 2025) An Economy on Ice as Americans Prepare for a Health Care Price Fright, Groundwork Collaborative (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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After several failed attempts at brokering a ceasefire, President Donald Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announced a 20-point peace plan for Gaza. On this episode of After America, Antoun Issa joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the prospects for a deal that did not include Palestinians in the negotiating process. They also discuss the role of the United States in the Middle East, how power works in foreign policy, and opening up space for a bigger discussion about foreign policy here in Australia. This episode was recorded on Friday 3 October. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Antoun Issa, Founder, DeepCut // @antounissa Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel, the Australia Institute (February 2025) Australians overwhelmingly back sanctions on Israel, new poll finds by Alex McKinnon, DeepCut (October 2025) Tony Blair Should Be on Trial for War Crimes, Not Running Gaza by Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo (October 2025) Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds, United Nations Commission for Human Rights (September 2025) Skewering History: the odious politics of counting Gaza’s dead by Richard Hil and Gideon Polya, Arena (July 2025) The Aspiring Novelist Who Became Obama’s Foreign-Policy Guru: How Ben Rhodes rewrote the rules of diplomacy for the digital age by David Samuels, New York Times Magazine (May 2016) 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Trump takes a sledgehammer to American democracy, Australia’s leader snagged a selfie – and a one-on-one meeting in October. How that will go is anyone’s guess.  On this episode of After America, Charlie Lewis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the apparent obsession of Anthony Albanese’s opponents with that bilateral meeting, the transformation of the Republican Party under Trump, and how Australia’s political landscape is being influenced by MAGA.   This episode was recorded on Thursday 25 September.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.  Guest: Charlie Lewis, reporter-at-large, Crikey // @theshufflediary  Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Show notes:  Welcome to the new McCarthyism by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (September 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. Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a rocky week for Australian diplomacy, Prime Minister Albanese is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly...and maybe, just maybe, a meeting with President Trump. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the MAGA movement’s weaponisation of Charlie Kirk’s murder, why no Trump meeting might be the best outcome for Anthony Albanese, formal recognition of Palestine, and Australia’s disastrous fortnight of Pacific diplomacy. This episode was recorded on Monday 22 September. ‘Save Tuvalu, Save the World’ is our September Politics in the Pub – join us at 6.30pm on Wednesday 24 September live in Canberra or via the livestream. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation is the latest sign we’re witnessing the end of US democracy by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (September 2025) Australia’s failure of diplomacy in PNG shows we can’t – and won’t – understand our Pacific neighbours by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (September 2025) Anote Tong & Dr Monique Ryan MP | Melbourne, the Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024) Rt Hon Enele Sopoaga PC - Keynote | Climate Integrity Summit 2024, The Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024) Is Australia REALLY choosing to help our Pacific neighbours? The Australia Institute on YouTube (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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Instead of trying bring Americans together after the latest act of political violence, the Trump administration is fanning the flames of division. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Elon Musk’s latest foray into global far-right politics, and the devastating impact of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda. This episode was recorded on Monday 15 September. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis and Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss are available now via the Australia Institute website. Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: Charlie Kirk Didn’t Shy Away From Who He Was. We Shouldn’t Either by Jamelle Bouie, The New York Times (September 2025) On the Mindless Menace of Violence, Robert F. Kennedy (1968) HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s impact on Americans' health, Fresh Air, NPR (September 2025) RFK Jr. says COVID may have been ‘ethnically targeted’ to spare Jews by Jon Levine, New York Post (July 2023) RFK Jr. says he's "not familiar" with all health program cuts in exclusive interview, CBS News (April 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior leaders from the Ukrainian Red Cross join us to discuss how international standards in armed conflict are being “compromised”. On this episode of After America, Maskym Dotsenko and Illya Kletskovskyy, the Director General and Deputy Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross, join Allan Behm to discuss the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukrainians, the role of Red Cross in armed conflict, and the importance of international humanitarian law in saving lives and reducing suffering. This episode was recorded on Thursday 4 September. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis and Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss are available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Maskym Dotsenko, Director General, Ukrainian Red Cross Society // @MaksymDotsenko Guest: Illya Kletskovskyy, Deputy Director General, Ukrainian Red Cross Society Host: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: War Crimes: Where do Responsibility and Accountability Start and End? by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump is behaving like “an emperor”, enabled by insufficient checks and balances on the power of the Oval Office. On this episode of After America, Professor Elizabeth Saunders from Columbia University joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the extreme volatility of this administration’s foreign policy and how Trump is breaking down the guardrails of American democracy. This episode was recorded on Thursday 28 August. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Elizabeth N Saunders, Professor of Political Science, Columbia University // @profsaunders Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: ‘Imperial President at Home, Emperor Abroad’ by Elizabeth Saunders, Foreign Affairs (June 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An imperial revival is occurring under the second Trump presidency. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s deployment of federal authorities to Democrat-voting jurisdictions, land grabs by the Russian and Israeli governments, and what a collapse of American democracy might mean for Australia. This episode was recorded on Friday 22 August. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm and Bob Bowker, The Australia Institute (February 2025) Australia must resist US bullying to increase military spending by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. But did he get played again?  On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Angus Blackman to discuss the fallout from Trump’s meeting with Putin, the Australian government’s commitment to recognising Palestinian statehood, and the not-super-encouraging prospects for American democracy as Trump sics the National Guard on Washington, D.C.  This episode was recorded on Monday 18 August.   You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.  Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb  Show notes:  Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm and Bob Bowker, The Australia Institute (February 2025)  Australia to recognise Palestinian state, Prime Minister of Australia (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. Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Probably not...”  On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss how Trump is normalising the idea that he might not leave the White House once his second term is up. Then, Helen Haines MP, independent member for Indi, joins Emma to discuss her community’s concerns about Israel’s actions in Gaza and the growing push for more transparency and accountability in Australian foreign policy.  Emma's discussion with Helen was recorded on Tuesday 29 July. Her discussion with Angus was recorded on Thursday 7 August.  After America will be back on Tuesday 19 August.  You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.  Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website.  Guest: Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi // @‪helenhainesindi  Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis  Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb  Show notes:  Watch CNBC's full interview with President Donald Trump, CNBC on YouTube (August 2025)  What does Texas redrawing its voting maps mean and why have Democrats left the state? Explained, The Guardian (August 2025)  RFK Jr. is incredibly dangerous, Jamelle Bouie on YouTube (May 2025)  Polling – AUKUS, the Australia Institute (June 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. Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Gaza to AUKUS, pressure for change is building on Australian foreign policy. On this special crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Glenn Connley to discuss the Australian protests calling for more action to protect Palestinians, the momentum against the troubled AUKUS submarine pact, and Trump’s decision to fire his chief of labour statistics after job growth slowed. This discussion was recorded on Monday 4 August 2025. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: ‘Right moment’? Australia risks losing power and respect on Gaza by Amy Remeikis, The New Daily (August 2025) Palestinian statehood vote at Victorian Labor conference heaps more pressure on PM, by Benita Kolovos, Guardian Australia (August 2025) Polling – AUKUS, the Australia Institute (June 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.Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.