After America

Last week’s Trump-Xi meeting delivered few tangible outcomes, but is a bigger shift in US-China relations under way?

On this episode of After America, Professor James Laurenceson joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the latest US-China leaders’ meeting, why the Biden administration’s hawkish approach to China may not be coming back, and what it all means for Australia.

This episode was recorded on Monday 28 September.

Guest: James Laurenceson, Professor and Director, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney // @j-laurenceson

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

Trump on throwing a state dinner for Xi Jinping, Mother Jones on Bsky (September 2026)

As fears of China wane, Americans favor greater engagement with Beijing, Chicago Council on Global Affairs (September 2026)

Trump dismisses China spying concerns after reports they provided Iran with Jordan airbase images, The Hill on YouTube (September 2026)

Stabilising ties with China is not appeasement by Graham Fletcher, Lowy Interpreter (August 2026)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

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A new suite of legislation aims to ensure that Australia doesn’t fund, arm or invest in illegal settlements, war crimes or genocide – but the federal government has blocked an inquiry into the bills.

On this episode of After America, lawyer and advocate Rawan Arraf joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the Red Lines Package, the decision of the United Kingdom and others to sanction illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the future of international law.

This episode was recorded on Friday 18 September.

Join Emma and Allan Behm for the Melbourne launch of Allan’s new book, New Game New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times at 6pm on Tuesday 22 September.

Guest: Rawan Arraf, Executive Director & Principal Lawyer, Australian Centre for International Justice // @rawanarraf

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

Red Lines Package

New Game, New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2026)

Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm & Bob Bowker, the Australia Institute (September 2026)

International law is under attack. Australia can stand up for justice, After America (August 2026)

Will Another Global Court Ruin Itself? by the Editorial Board, Wall Street Journal (September 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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The United States controls or has access to more than 100 defence facilities on Australian soil, according to new research.

On this episode of After America, Dr Richard Tanter joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss his new research on American access to Australian defence facilities, the long-term consequences of the war on terror for the Australia-US alliance, and whether Australia is the only American ally not seriously rethinking its relationship with the United States.

This episode was recorded on Friday 11 September.

Join Emma and Allan Behm for the Melbourne launch of Allan’s new book, New Game New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times at 6pm on Tuesday 22 September.

Tickets to ‘The Last Best Hope of Earth: Reflections on the USA at 250’ at the Celtic Club in Melbourne on Friday 18 September are available here.

Guest: Richard Tanter, Senior Research Associate, Nautilus Institute

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

Australian Bases & US Involvement

The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war? by Ben Doherty, Andy Ball & Nick Evershed, Guardian Australia (September 2026)

9/11: Can the US ever recover? by Allan Behm, The Point (September 2026)

Shorter America: Anniversaries; Australia and 9/11; From the rubble by Emma Shortis, The Point (September 2026)

New Game, New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2026)

A suitable piece of real estate: American installations in Australia by Desmond Ball, Hale & Iremonger (1980)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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Nine nuclear weapons states are holding the rest of the world “hostage to annihilation”, but the Australian government is yet to act on a global ban.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis reflects on the United States’ military footprint in Australia, before former Australian Minister for International Development Melissa Parke joins the show to discuss the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

This episode was recorded Thursday 26 August.

Join Dr Emma Shortis and Allan Behm at 6pm, Tuesday 22 September for the Melbourne launch of Allan’s new book, New Game New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times.

Guest: Melissa Parke, Executive Director, International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons // @MelissaParke01

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

New Game, New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2026)

The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war? by Ben Doherty, Andy Ball & Nick Evershed, Guardian Australia (September 2026)

The U.S. Has Killed 227 Civilians in Boat Strikes During “A Year of Murders” by Nick Turse, The Intercept (September 2026)

Shorter America: An unhealthy alliance; Our "good friend" Pete; Oh my god these men (cont.) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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The Australia-United States relationship is strong in spite of the flawed defence partnership.

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss 75 years of the ANZUS treaty, the Trump administration’s assault on international law, and what confident, capable Australian foreign policy could look like.

This episode was recorded Friday 28 August.

New Game, New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm is available now from Australia Institute Press for $19.95.

Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

ANZUS and Australia’s Security by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (July 2020)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Shorter America: Oh, Dolly; We're not ready; Barely Gettin' By by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]. 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

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What might the midterms mean for an historically unpopular president?

On this episode of After America, Chas Licciardello joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the latest from the midterm primaries, the “civil war” between democratic socialist and establishment Democrats, and why Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has MAGA rattled.

This episode was recorded Thursday 20 August.

Get your tickets for the Melbourne launch of More Fool Me: how the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss at Cinema Nova in Melbourne on Tuesday 25 August.

Guest: Chas Licciardello, co-host of PEP with Chas and Dr Dave & the ABC’s Planet America

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

New Game, New Rules by Allan Behm, Australia Institute Press (August 2026)

Shorter America: They're running?; Oh my god these men (cont.); The weight of America by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)

Australia’s Gaza hypocrisy, After America, the Australia Institute on YouTube (August 2026)

Beyond the Two-State Solution: Policy responses to the Destruction of Palestine and the Insecurity of Israel by Emma Shortis, Allan Behm & Bob Bowker, the Australia Institute (February 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]. 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

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If the United States government isn’t caring for its own military personnel, how could policymakers expect the US to come to Australia’s aid?

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss concerning reports about conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln, the impact of the Trump administration’s cuts to USAID, and the speculation over whether Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will seek the Democratic presidential nomination.

This episode was recorded Friday 14 August.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.

Get your tickets for the Melbourne launch of More Fool Me: how the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss at Cinema Nova in Melbourne on Tuesday 25 August.

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

New Game, New Rules by Allan Behm, Australia Institute Press (August 2026)

International law is under attack. Australia can stand up for justice, After America (August 2026)

Shorter America This Week: She's running; Primaries update; Vaccines (and eugenics) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)

Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025)

“Total Whitewash”: New Pentagon Report Claims U.S. Killed No Civilians in Boat Strikes by Nick Turse, The Intercept (August 2026)

USAID fallout: In Nepal, when the aid workers stopped coming, the women and babies started dying by Kristen Gelineau, AP News (August 2026)

The Real Reason Elon Musk Keeps Insisting DOGE Cuts Killed “Zero” Kids by Greg Sargent & Toby Buckle, The New Republic (July 2026)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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The Australian government constantly talks up the international rules-based order – but its willingness to uphold the principles that underpin it is inconsistent at best.

Human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry’s findings of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the Trump administration’s attacks on the institutions of international law, and how the Australian government could act in support of a genuinely rules-based international system.

This episode was recorded Friday 7 August.

More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble.

Guest: Chris Sidoti, Commissioner, UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

Australia has a legal obligation to act in response to Israel’s crimes. Here’s how by Chris Sidoti, Guardian Australia (June 2026)

Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, UN Commission finds, Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations Human Rights (September 2025)

Commissioner on the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, United Nations Human Rights Council

No peace without accountability: Sydney Peace Laureate Navi Pillay, After America (October 2025).

After America: Australia and the New World Order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Shorter America This Week: Michigan sends a message; Who loves AI; Why journalism; Poo jokes (sorry) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]. 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

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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 [email protected]. 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

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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 [email protected]. 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.