We know we were colonised by the British and built by the criminals they sent here.

But how much do we really understand about the very beginning of European settlement in Australia?

David Hill, former managing director of the ABC and author of Convict Colony

Australia enjoys the best of both worlds- free trade with China and a strong alliance with the US.

How much longer can it last?

US Secretary of State says Australia can either 'sell your soul for a pile of soybeans, or you can protect your people.'

Could this kind of rhetoric widen the gap between two of the most powerful nations in the world, forcing Australia to 'choose a side'?

Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia and president of the Asia Society in New York.

John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

Australia enjoys the best of both worlds- free trade with China and a strong alliance with the US.

How much longer can it last?

US Secretary of State says Australia can either 'sell your soul for a pile of soybeans, or you can protect your people.'

Could this kind of rhetoric widen the gap between two of the most powerful nations in the world, forcing Australia to 'choose a side'?

Kevin Rudd, former prime minister of Australia and president of the Asia Society in New York.

John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago and author of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

Winston Churchill inspired his fellow Britons to resist the rise of the Nazis and led them to victory in World War Two.

All this in the face of a complex childhood, a love for alcohol and a self-described long battle with the 'black dog' of depression. Andrew Roberts is the author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny, the most recent and highly-regarded biography of the man who was the twice-prime minister of Britain.

Winston Churchill inspired his fellow Britons to resist the rise of the Nazis and led them to victory in World War Two.

All this in the face of a complex childhood, a love for alcohol and a self-described long battle with the 'black dog' of depression. Andrew Roberts is the author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny, the most recent and highly-regarded biography of the man who was the twice-prime minister of Britain.

Looking back at the shock election result, Gerard Henderson says it's no wonder the media got it so wrong. Despite the forecast by the academics, the polls and the pundits, there is no substitute for 'staying in touch' with the voting public.

Will May 18 go down as the most dramatic failure of political prediction?

Gerard Henderson, author, columnist for The Australian and executive director of the Sydney Institute.

WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT

70 years after the establishment of NATO, the threat that justified its creation has long gone. Wasn't the expansion that started 20 years ago, a dangerous idea?

Looking back at the shock election result, Gerard Henderson says it's no wonder the media got it so wrong. Despite the forecast by the academics, the polls and the pundits, there is no substitute for 'staying in touch' with the voting public.

Will May 18 go down as the most dramatic failure of political prediction?

Gerard Henderson, author, columnist for The Australian and executive director of the Sydney Institute.

WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT

70 years after the establishment of NATO, the threat that justified its creation has long gone. Wasn't the expansion that started 20 years ago, a dangerous idea?

Is nationalism an excuse for world domination? If you have an arsenal of weapons like the US does, you need a more nuanced catch-phrase than 'America first' if you don't want to start a war.

Brendon O'Connor, Associate Professor in American Politics, United States Studies Centre , University of Sydney, co-author of Ideologies of American Foreign Policy

Joseph Sternberg explains why the challenges of Generation Millennial go beyond spending their house deposit on avocado toast in his book The Theft of a Decade

Is nationalism an excuse for world domination? If you have an arsenal of weapons like the US does, you need a more nuanced catch-phrase than 'America first' if you don't want to start a war.

Brendon O'Connor, Associate Professor in American Politics, United States Studies Centre , University of Sydney, co-author of Ideologies of American Foreign Policy

Joseph Sternberg explains why the challenges of Generation Millennial go beyond spending their house deposit on avocado toast in his book The Theft of a Decade

The good, the bad and the ugly of politics in 2019.

Expert commentators join Tom to discuss the shock election result, China, America and the world.

Will the lessons of this year roll into 2020?

Jennifer Hewett, columnist with the Australian Financial Review. 

Judith Sloan, columnist with The Australian.

Stephen Loosely, senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.