Far from winding down, tit-for-tat threats on civilian energy infrastructure suggest the US-Israel war on Iran may enter a new spiral of violence.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the war on Iran and how American sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, before Professor James Laurenceson joins the show to talk about the impact of the conflict on China and the postponed Trump-Xi summit.

This episode was recorded on Friday 20 and Monday 23 March.

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

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

Show notes:

Shorter America This Week: History sighs, repeats itself; Surprise: Trump doesn't need allies; A bloodthirsty White House by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)

The attacks on Iran hurt us all by Allan Behm, The Point (March 2026)

Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)

UN chief suggests both sides may be committing war crimes in US-Israel conflict with Iran by Anne McElvoy, Politico (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 [email protected].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration’s war on Iran is the most “incompetent, incoherent” war the United States has fought in a century, according to one US Senator.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the Trump administration’s apparent failure to plan for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pete Hegseth’s attacks on American media, and the Australian government’s response to the conflict.

This episode was recorded on Monday 16 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: Very complete, pretty much; We already know who's next (it's Cuba); Looksmaxxing by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)

Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

Australia’s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press

Iran, not the US, currently has the strategic upper hand by Laura Tingle, ABC News (March 2026)

Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)

Why Donald Trump is losing the war at home by David Smith, The Conversation (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 [email protected].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government has been trying to placate Trump in order to secure the AUKUS submarine deal – and now we are seeing the results.

On this episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the illegal US-Israel war in Iran, the implications of the conflict for the Middle East, and why Australian personnel were on board an American nuclear-powered submarine when it sank an Iranian warship.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 March.

What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.

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

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

Australia’s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press

Iran strikes are Donald Trump’s ninth foreign military action in 14 months by Simon Elvery, 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 [email protected].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the MAGAverse, it’s white men who are born to rule – at home and abroad.

On this episode of After America, Elizabeth Pancotti from Washington DC-based think tank Groundwork Collaborative joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the State of the Union, Trump’s vile attack on Somali-Americans, and how tariffs are driving up prices in a deeply unequal American economy.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 27 February.

After America: Australia and the new world order is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘PODVP’ at checkout to get free shipping.

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:

Groundwork Collaborative

The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

Australia’s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 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].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ‘president of peace’ has started another war with Iran, with no apparent regard for the consequences.

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and the assassination of its leader, Trump and Netanyahu’s cynical messages for the Iranian people, what this war means for nuclear proliferation, and the Australian government’s “deeply disappointing” response.

This discussion was recorded on Monday 2 March 2026.

The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, 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:

The Mar-a-Lago model: how Trump is trying to dominate global governance, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Shorter America This Week: The State of the Union is... bad; AI is also bad; But hard times ain't gonna rule my mind by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)

How to foster global lawlessness: Destroy the UN and its agencies by Allan Behm, The Point (January 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].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ‘president of peace’ is at it again: threatening Iran again and boasting that his ‘board of peace’ will look over the United Nations.

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the potential consequences if the United States again strikes Iran, the first meeting of Trump’s grotesque ‘board of peace’, and the striking similarities between a(nother) shamefully racist week in Australian politics and Trump administration rhetoric and policies.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 20 February 2026.

The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, 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:

Shorter America this week: Will he or won't he on Iran; The Trump doctrine?; On climate, he absolutely will; The only thing more powerful than hate is love by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)

The Wrap: Trump's America is a warning, and Australia keeps treating it like a guide, by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)

How to foster global lawlessness: Destroy the UN and its agencies by Allan Behm, The Point (January 2026)

Talk us through AUKUS by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (February 2023)

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].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By removing guardrails around nuclear weapons, the Trump administration is making the world a far more dangerous place.

On this episode of After America, Jon B Wolfsthal, former Special Assistant to President Obama for National Security Affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the expiry of the New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and Russia, AUKUS and Australia’s nuclear capabilities, and why “nuclear weapons are back with avengeance”.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 February 2026 Australian time.

The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Jon B Wolfsthal, former Director of Global Risk, Federation of American Scientists // @jonatomic

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

Show notes:

Trump has scrapped the long-standing legal basis for tackling climate emissions by Robyn Eckersley, The Conversation (February 2026)

It is now 85 seconds to midnight, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (February 2026)

The nuclear option, After America, the Australia Institute (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 [email protected].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As American democracy teeters, the Australian government is trying to pretend everything is just fine.

On this episode of After America, Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia senior reporter covering international affairs, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, the lack of transparency around the AUKUS submarine deal, and why the Australian government still has its head in the sand over Trump.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 February 2026.

The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia

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

Show notes:

‘Possibility of US ever selling Australia nuclear submarines is increasingly remote, Aukus critics say’ by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

‘Australia’s confidence in Trump’s US has evaporated. What will it take for the alliance to rupture?’ by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (January 2026)

‘‘The whole thing disgusts me’: Australians ditch US travel as new rules require social media to be declared’ by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (December 2025)

‘Shorter America This Week:  How to win (or cancel) elections; No START; You should smile more’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 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].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With each passing day, the Make America Great Again movement is becoming more battle-hardened and less likely to disappear once Trump leaves office (whenever that may be).

On this episode of After America, author and former speechwriter Don Watson joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the trajectory of the Trump administration, why Australia can’t avoid the rupture being brought about by the MAGA movement, and where Democratic leadership might come from in a “woefully” split party.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 30 January 2026.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Usually available for $34.95, use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off – offer available for a limited time only.

Guest: Don Watson, author of The Shortest History of the United States

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

Show notes:

The Shortest History of the United States of America by Don Watson, Black Inc. (2025)

‘International cooperation on firefighting shows the best of the Australia-US alliance’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 2026)

‘Shorter America this week: Protest works; Name reality; It's the end of the world as we know it’ by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 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].

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autocrats cannot rise to power by themselves.

On this bonus episode, Dr Emma Shortis speaks to Justin Bergman, The Conversation’s International Affairs Editor, about Stephen Miller, the key Trump ally who’s been described as the most powerful unelected bureaucrat in the United States – possibly the world.

This episode was made by The Conversation for their six-part series on the rise of Trump, The Making of an Autocrat, which is available wherever you get your podcasts.

After America: Australia and the new world order by Dr Emma Shortis is available from Australia Institute Press for just $19.95.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Usually available for $34.95, use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off – offer available for a limited time only.

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

Host: Justin Bergman, International Affairs Editor, The Conversation

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

Support After America: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.