The death of Pope Francis closes the door on a papacy that was focused on the plight of migrants and other vulnerable groups. 

In this emergency episode, what was the Pontiff's contribution to global politics and who might come after him?

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Election day is looming at a time when events beyond our borders are shaping the debate as much as the politicians are. 

The major parties have avoided discussion of foreign policy, despite the need for new policies and partnerships for this uncertain time. 

With no scheduled debate on foreign policy, we discuss some of the key questions confronting the nation with:

Tim Watts, the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs

Senator Dave Sharma 

Independent MP Zoe Daniel

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Palau is a tiny Pacific nation located in one of the hottest geo-strategic areas on Earth. 

They are highly dependent on the US for finance and defence but subject to Chinese pressure to revoke their formal recognition of Taiwan. 

Despite these challenges, Palau's greatest concern is actually the threat of climate change making parts of their country uninhabitable.

Guest: President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr. 

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Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs are laser-focused on Southeast Asia, with manufacturing countries singled out for the highest tax rates.

Australia has got off lightly, but can we avoid the blow back when our region is under pressure?

Where do Australia's best interests really lie?

Guest: Dr Joseph Liow, author of Navigating Uncertainty: Our Region in an Age of Flux; Tan Kah Kee Chair in international politics, Nanyang Technological University; Singapore representative to ASEAN advisory board. 

Recommendations:

Geraldine: 'I should have seen this coming', The Atlantic

Hamish: 'Trump’s tariffs will push Southeast Asia uncomfortably close to China', Chatham House

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What is Beijing thinking as it watches Western governments grapple with the chaos created by the US?

Does China view the fracturing of long-standing US alliances and trading relationships as an opportunity, or do they share the concerns about what is coming?

Guest: Zhou Bo, Senior Colonel (Retired) in the People’s Liberation Army, author of Should the World Fear China? Senior fellow at Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy

Recommendations:

Geraldine: 'China rethinking its role', Engelsberg Ideas

Hamish: 'Why a weight-loss drug could become a geopolitical bargaining chip', FT

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Donald Trump's strategy on tariffs is inspired by the 'Gilded Age' of US history, when the federal government drew most of its income from taxes on foreign imports. 

Now some of America's closest allies have been slapped with tariffs and there are growing risks of a trade war.

Guest: Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan

Recommendations:

Geraldine: 'The Wonders of Europe', SBS on Demand

Hamish: Sir Gareth Southgate - Boys need role models not gaming and porn, BBC 

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The Irish rockstar is fired up as he claims his life's work is being ripped apart by the new US administration. 

In this passionate and surprising conversation Sir Bob discusses cuts to aid budgets in the US and UK, what Australia should be doing to stand up to Donald Trump and why he no longer listens to music.  

Guest: Bob Geldof, musician and co-founder of the Band Aid Charitable Trust

Recommendations: 

Geraldine: Repeat: A Warning from History, Dennis Glover

Hamish: Queen performs at Live Aid, 1985

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Former Prime Minister Paul Keating has said of AUKUS that "we don't need to be a pair of shoes hanging out of America's backside". Is that a fair characterisation of Australia's position vis a vis AUKUS? Are we getting the short end of the stick with this deal, and sacrificing our sovereignty to boot? 

NOTE: This podcast was first released on 20 December 2024.

GUESTS:

Sam Roggeveen - Director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program. He is the author of The Echidna Strategy: Australia’s Search for Power and Peace

Malcolm Turnbull - 29th Prime Minister of Australia 2015-2018.

Richard Marles - the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence and the Federal Member for Corio.

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There was jubilation in Syria last year when Bashar Al-Assad fled the country after 14 years of civil war.

But peace won't come easy and the country's new rulers face a host of hurdles as they try to bring order to a country riven by years of conflict.

GUEST: Heidi Pett - Freelance producer, journalist and videographer.

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The United States is tearing down the foundations that have underpinned the west since the end of the second world war.

Traditional alliances have been turned on their head, and Australia is not immune.

Should we go it alone without our biggest ally, and are Australia's future leaders ready for the job ahead?

Guests: Latika Bourke - Writer at Large, The Nightly and an Expert Associate at the ANU’s National Security College. 

Sam Roggeveen - Director of the Lowy Institute's International Security Program 

Recommendations:

Geraldine: What Trump miscalculates about American power | The Saturday Paper

Hamish: Trump and the end of American soft power

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