After America

Don Watson joins us to discuss Trump’s beyond-bizarre cabinet selections, Joe Biden’s tainted legacy, and what this might all mean for Australia on the final episode of After America for 2024. Author and former speechwriter Don Watson joins Dr Emma Shortis on After America to discuss what Trump’s re-emergence reveals about the United States and how Australia might respond differently to a second Trump administration. This discussion was recorded on Monday 9 December 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Don Watson, author of ‘High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink’ Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: Donald Trump’s Meet the Press interview (December 2024) ‘High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink’ by Don Watson, Quarterly Essay (September 2024) ‘The Second Coming’ by Fintan O’Toole, NY Review of Books (December 2024) 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.

Zoe Daniel MP joins us to discuss the MAGA loyalists Trump is tapping for senior roles and how Australia can deal with the President-elect. On this episode of After America, Zoe Daniel MP, Independent Member for Goldstein and former foreign correspondent, joins Dr Emma Shortis to talk about the incoming Trump administration, Australia’s relationships with the United States and China, and the role of independent politicians in Australian defence and foreign policy-making. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 28 November and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: The Hon Zoe Daniel MP, Independent Member for Goldstein // @zoedaniel Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: Greetings from Trumpland: How an unprecedented presidency changed everything by Zoe Daniel and Roscoe Whalan (March 2021) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

We discuss brainworms, Elon’s new gig, and why it’s a really bad idea to micro-dose E. coli. Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and founding member of the Australian Nobel Prize-winning group, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the global consequences of Trump’s cabinet picks and what his election means for efforts to eradicate nuclear weapons. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 21 November and things may have changed since recording. Pre-order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Ruth Mitchell, Board Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // @drruthmitchell Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: Risky Business: An update on super funds and nuclear weapons by Rosemary Kelly and Margaret Beavis (September 2024) Super-powered nukes: Aussie funds and weapons of mass destruction, Follow the Money (October 2024) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins the show to discuss how Australia should approach the second Trump presidency. Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss why sucking up to Trump will get Australian leaders nowhere and how the AUKUS “shocker” is making Australia more dependent on the United States, right at the time America is becoming less dependable. This discussion was recorded on Friday 8 November 2024 US time and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Malcolm Turnbull, 29th Prime Minister of Australia // @TurnbullMalcolm Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: ‘The Bad Guys: How to Deal with our Illiberal Friends’, Australian Foreign Affairs (October 2022) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

With this presidential race now over, Emma reflects on an extraordinary campaign and the challenges that may lie ahead for Australia. In the last of our daily election episodes of After America, Dr Emma Shortis reflects on the glass ceiling in American politics, the Democrats’ failure to address their own shortcomings over the last three decades, and why the Australian Government doesn’t need to just cop whatever challenges the next US administration throws at it. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 7 November 2024 US time and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis  Show notes: Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom (January 2019) ‘Kidnapping, assassination and a London shoot-out: Inside the CIA's secret war plans against WikiLeaks’, Yahoo! News (September 2021)  Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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 will return to the White House – how should Australia prepare? On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Alice Grundy discuss what the Trump victory means for American society and democratic institutions, the soul-searching facing the Democrats after a comprehensive defeat, and the implications for Australia. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 6 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicekgt Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

Will Trump declare victory on election night, regardless of the result? On the final pre-election episode of After America, Matthew Bevan and Dr Emma Shortis reflect on an enormous Harris rally in Philadelphia, whether the polls have anything useful to tell us, and the dangers of a contested result. This discussion was recorded on Monday 4 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Matthew Bevan, host and writer of If You’re Listening, the ABC // @MatthewBevan Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

Emma is on the road at a Harris rally in North Carolina and Bruce Thompson, former advisor to the Obama and Clinton campaigns in the state, joins us to preview the election. Bruce Thompson joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss what it’s like to live in a battleground state in the heat of a presidential campaign, the prospect of legal challenges from the Trump in the event of a Democratic victory, and who Harris might pick as her Secretary of State if she wins the election. This discussion was recorded on Friday 1 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: R. Bruce Thompson II, Partner, Parker Poe Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

His Excellency José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Laureate, joins us to discuss why the United States will remain an economic powerhouse despite rising tensions with China. On this episode of After America, Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the US-China relationship and his disillusionment with the Western response to the Israel’s actions in Gaza. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 9 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: His Excellency José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Laureate // @JoseRamosHorta1 Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: Statement of the Secretary-General on Israeli legislation on UNRWA, United Nations (October 2024) UNRWA cannot be replaced, say UN top officials in response to Knesset ban, United Nations (October 2024) Occupied Palestinian Territory, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Israel passes legislation banning the work of UNRWA on Israeli soil, ABC News (October 2024) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis joins us to talk about the presidential election, Joe Biden’s foreign policy legacy and the future of America’s role in the world. On this episode of After America, Yanis Varoufakis joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the prospect of a grand deal between the US and China on climate, how Trump emerged from the Obama presidency, and why America isn’t a real democracy. This discussion was recorded on Friday 1 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Yanis Varoufakis, economist, politician, author and the former finance minister of Greece // @yanisvaroufakis Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: ‘The end of capitalism with Yanis Varoufakis’, Follow the Money (March 2024) Yanis Varoufakis – Technofeudalism, National Press Club Address (March 2024) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

The Democrats have been largely overshadowed by the Trump spectacle in the final weeks of the campaign. Will it hurt Harris’ chances of winning the presidency? On this special crossover episode of After America and Presidency Pending, Associate Professor Zim Nwokora and Associate Professor Clare Corbould from Deakin University join Dr Emma Shortis to discuss whether reproductive rights will mobilise enough voters for Kamala Harris in key states and the role of Biden in the campaign. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 30 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Zim Nwokora, Associate Professor, Deakin University Guest: Clare Corbould, Associate Head of School, Research Faculty of Arts and Education/School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University // @clarecorbould Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

Chas Licciardello joins us to discuss Beyonce’s Texas appearance, Trump’s hate-filled Madison Square Garden dude-fest, and how the campaigns are spending their money. Comedian and co-host of Planet America on ABC TV, Chas Licciardello, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss why the campaigns are spending time in states they’re unlikely to win and what their advertising reveals about the campaigns’ strategies. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 29 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Chas Licciardello, comedian and co-host of Planet America and PEP // @chaslicc Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: PEP with Chas and Dr Dave Planet America, ABC iview Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

We discuss the race in the key swing state of Michigan and whether Australia is really prepared for a second Trump administration. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Alice Grundy discuss Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally, Eminem’s appearance at a Harris event in Detroit, and what this election result could mean for Australia. This discussion was recorded on Monday 28 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicekgt Show notes: ‘In the US election, 7 states and a few ‘swing voters’ have all the power. This is exposing hidden tensions in both campaigns’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2024) The Odd Couple: the Australia-America relationship by Allan Behm (2024) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

We discuss the impact of Trump’s extreme immigration rhetoric and how the candidates are courting the male vote. On this episode of After America, Dr Prudence Flowers, Senior Lecturer in US History at Flinders University, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss immigration, reproductive rights, and why Harris and Trump are hitting the podcast circuit. This discussion was recorded on Monday 21 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. 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. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Prudence Flowers, Senior Lecturer in US History, Flinders University // @FlowersPGF Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: ‘Republicans once championed immigration in the US. Why has the party’s rhetoric – and public opinion – changed so dramatically?’ by Prudence Flowers, The Conversation (October 2024) ‘The ‘feral 25-year-olds’ making Kamala Harris go viral on TikTok’ by Drew Harwell, The Washington Post (September 2024) The Right-to-Life Movement, the Reagan Administration, and the Politics of Abortion by Prudence Flowers (2019) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions Subscribe for regular updates from the Australia Institute. 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.

We discuss hurricane conspiracies, Harris’ “decency coalition” and the threat of post-election violence. On this episode of After America, award-winning author, journalist and screenwriter Richard Cooke joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the state of this extremely close campaign. This discussion was recorded on Monday 14 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Richard Cooke, author, journalist and Contributing Editor for The Monthly // @rgcooke Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: Tired of Winning: A Chronicle of American Decline by Richard Cooke (March 2019) ‘Dark Star: Elon Musk's Political Turning’ by Richard Cooke, The Jewish Quarterly (February 2024) 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.

We discuss America's apparent crisis of confidence, the conflict in the Middle East, and the Vice-Presidential debate. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm, Director of the International & Security Affairs program at the Australia Institute, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the sense of helplessness creeping into American policymaking. This discussion was recorded on Friday 4 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Allan Behm, Director, International & Security Affairs program, the Australia Institute // @Mirandaprorsus Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: The Odd Couple: the Australia-America relationship by Allan Behm (2024) ‘In a largely uneventful and inconsequential US vice presidential debate, no one can claim victory’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2024) 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.

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, joins us to discuss AUKUS and how the US presidential candidates might shape American foreign policy. Helen Clark ONZ joins Dr Emma Shortis on this episode of After America to discuss the US-China relationship and how Australia and New Zealand can play a constructive role in the Asia Pacific. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 2 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Join President José Ramos-Horta at 6pm AEDT, Tuesday 8 October for an evening of conversation at the Sydney Opera House, presented by the Australia Institute as part of its 30 Years of Big Ideas. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: The Rt Hon Helen Clark ONZ, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and United Nations Development Programme Administrator // @HelenClarkNZ Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: ‘In a largely uneventful and inconsequential US vice presidential debate, no one can claim victory’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2024) Helen Clark’s remarks at the United Nations Security Council (September 2024) 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.

Author and former speechwriter Don Watson joins us to discuss political violence, America’s deep divisions and whether Kamala Harris can turn the country around. Don Watson joins Dr Emma Shortis on this episode of After America to discuss the cult-like support Donald Trump has manufactured, the “mad” AUKUS agreement, and his latest Quarterly Essay, ‘High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink’. This discussion was recorded on Friday 20 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Join President José Ramos-Horta at 6pm AEDT, Tuesday 8 October for an evening of conversation at the Sydney Opera House, presented by the Australia Institute as part of its 30 Years of Big Ideas. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Don Watson, author of ‘High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink’ Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: ‘High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the Brink’ by Don Watson, Quarterly Essay (September 2024) American Journeys by Don Watson (January 2018) ‘Enemy Within: American Politics in the Time of Trump’ by Don Watson, Quarterly Essay (September 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.

We discuss race in the presidential campaign and the fallout from the debate with Terri Givens, Professor of Race, Ethnicity and Politics at the University of British Columbia. Professor Terri Givens joins Dr Emma Shortis on this episode of After America to discuss race in American politics and whether the country is ready to elect a Black female president. This discussion was recorded on Friday 13 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Terri Givens, Professor of Race, Ethnicity and Politics, University of British Columbia Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: ‘Race, gender and politics: Is the United States ready for a Black woman president?’ by Terri Givens, The Conversation (July 2024) ‘Is America ready to elect a Black woman president?’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (September 2024) The Roots of Racism: The politics of white supremacy in the US and Europe by Terri Givens (January 2022) Radical Empathy: Finding a path to bridging racial divides by Terri Givens (February 2022) ‘With Democrats "fired up" by Harris' candidacy, young people are now registering to vote in droves’ by Nandika Chatterjee, Salon (August 2024) 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.

Nick Bryant and Emma Shortis discuss the presidential debate and the state of the race on this bonus episode. On this bonus After America, Nick Bryant, acclaimed author of The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict with Itself and former BBC journalist, joins Dr Emma Shortis to reflect on the Harris-Trump debate. This discussion was recorded live on Thursday 12 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Nick Bryant, author and former BBC United States correspondent // @NickBryantNY Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Show notes: 'Are you ready for it? What a Taylor Swift endorsement means for Kamala Harris' by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (September 2024) The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict with Itself by Nick Bryant (June 2024) When America Stopped Being Great: A History of the Present by Nick Bryant (August 2020) 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.