After America

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 [email protected]. 

Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See 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 [email protected]. 

Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See 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 [email protected].

Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By courting neo-cons and failing to address cost of living concerns, have establishment Democrats signed the party’s death warrant?

On this episode of After America, Assistant Professor Musa Al-Gharbi joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the catastrophic failure of the Democrats to effectively resist Trump’s agenda and whether a new generation of leaders can turn the party around.  

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

Emma and Musa also did a live event with Alex Sloan in Canberra – the recording is available here. 

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website. 

Guest: Musa al-Gharbi, Assistant Professor in the School of Communication and Journalism, Stony Brook University // @musaalgharbi 

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

Show notes: 

We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite by Musa al-Gharbi, Princeton University Press (2024) 

A Graveyard of Bad Election Narratives by Musa al-Gharbi (November 2024) 

The Elite Panic at the Heart of Liberal Attacks on Mamdani by Tressie McMillan Cottom, The New York Times (July 2025) 

Common Sense Solidarity, Jacobin (November 2021) 

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 & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s only been SIX MONTHS.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman take a step back to reflect on what’s happened since Trump was inaugurated in January.

Tl;dr: it's all pretty grim.

This discussion was recorded on Monday 21 July 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.

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.

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

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

Show notes:

Friday essay: Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024)

Tracking Trump’s overhaul of the federal workforce, CNN (July 2025)

Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts, Boston University

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 & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals would help Big Pharma make bigger profits, but it’d be a disaster for Americans’ health.

Dr Ruth Mitchell, neurosurgeon and Nobel Peace Prize winner with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss why a growing number of Australians want an AUKUS review, Trump’s pharmaceuticals tariffs, and what the US President can learn from Jane Fonda.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 11 July 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: Ruth Mitchell, Board Chair, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War // @drruthmitchell

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

Show notes:

Polling – AUKUS, the Australia Institute (July 2025)

Medicine price comparison between Australia and the United States by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

Moral Ambition: Stop wasting your talent and start making a difference by Rutger Bregman (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 [email protected].

Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legislation will turbocharge inequality and the climate catastrophe – and it’s all part of the administration’s plan to radically reshape American society.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis discusses how Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will further redistribute wealth from lower and middle class people to the richest Americans, before Josh Bornstein joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court and whether the rule of law is crumbling in the United States.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 4 July 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July.

Guest: Josh Bornstein, Principal Lawyer, National Head of Employment Law, Maurice Blackburn // @joshbornstein

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

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

Show notes:

Working for the Brand by Josh Bornstein (October 2024)

Trump has long speculated about using force against his own people. Now he has the pretext to do so by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (June 2025)

Trump promises a second term focused on immigration and nationalism – as well as revenge and retribution by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (January 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 & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had signed a trade deal with China. Did it though?

On this episode of After America, Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the Trump administration’s confused approach to China and how Australia is navigating these complex relationships.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 13 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July.

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:

Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

UTS:ACRI/BIDA Poll 2024, Australia-China Relations Institute (June 2024)

Remarks by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore (As Delivered), U.S. Department of Defense (May 2025)

Don’t fall for NATO’s hyped-up rhetoric on defence spending by Xiao Qian, The Australian (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 [email protected].

Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s never about regime change (until it is).

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites, the comparisons with America’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, and what this decision could mean for Australia.

This discussion was recorded on Monday 23 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July.

Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

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

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

Show notes:

As the US chooses destruction over diplomacy in Iran, Australia has to decide between principle and prostration 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 [email protected].

Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia traded sovereignty for security with the AUKUS submarine deal, but it might end up with neither.

On this episode of After America, Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss Trump’s AUKUS review, Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Trump, and why Australia doesn’t share values with the US administration.

This discussion was recorded on Monday 16 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store.

Guest: Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th Prime Minister // @TurnbullMalcolm

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

Show notes:

AUKUS is a disaster for Australia. Trump has given us an out – let’s take it by Emma Shortis, The Sydney Morning Herald (June 2025)

Australia must resist US bullying to increase its military spending by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025)

Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service (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].

Support After America & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3QRFNjB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.