After America

Will the midterm trouncing push the Trump administration towards a deal with Iran?
On this episode of After America, Sina Toossi, analyst of US-Iran relations and American foreign policy towards the Middle East, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the US-Israel war on Iran, the dramatic geopolitical realignments underway in the Middle East, and whether the midterms make an end to the conflict more likely.
This episode was recorded on Thursday 12 November Australian time.
Guest: Sina Toossi, Senior Non-Resident Fellow, Center for International Policy // @sinatoossi
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
US voters have rejected Trump's version of America. Is Australia ready to seize the moment? by Emma Shortis, The Point (November 2026)
Shorter America: Looks like woke’s back on the menu; Choosin’ Texas; Global implications by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. 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.

On this bonus mini-episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis reflects on the Democrats’ historic midterms success, what now for the Trump administration, and what it might mean for the Australia-US relationship.
This episode was recorded on Friday 6 November.
Join Emma and Don Watson at our first-ever After America live show on Tuesday 1 December at the Celtic Club in Melbourne.
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: Looks like woke’s back on the menu; Choosin’ Texas; Global implications by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. 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.

The midterms are finally upon us. On Tuesday US time, Americans will vote in a new Congress – and deliver a verdict on two years of the second Trump administration.
On this episode of After America, If You’re Listening host Matt Bevan joins Dr Emma Shortis to preview the midterms and examine the election results in Israel. In both countries, these could be the most important elections in generations – so what will the fallout be?
This episode was recorded on Friday 30 October.
Join Emma and Don Watson at our first-ever After America live show on Tuesday 1 December at the Celtic Club in Melbourne.
Guest: Matt Bevan, host of If You’re Listening, Australian Broadcasting Corporation // @mattbevan
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
If You’re Listening Live Midterms Broadcast, 3pm AEDT (Melbourne Cup +24-ish), Wednesday 4 November
Shorter America: Races to watch; The Trump effect; Global implications by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2026)
Israel’s October 7 inquiry hinges on this election, If You're Listening on YouTube (October 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. 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.

Elephant?! What elephant?
On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss key races in the midterms, the upcoming Israeli election, and the latest from the Canberra bubble on Euro-Indo-Atlanto-Pacific strategic interests.
This episode was recorded on Monday 26 October.
Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Shorter America: Michigan Matters; Looking to Europe; Political Violence by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2026)
Faith and nostalgia: dangerous strategic partners by Allan Behm, The Point (October 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. 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.

The United States keeps showing us what an unreliable ally it is. Are European governments now getting the message?
Dr Tobias Cremer, Member of European Parliament, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss how the European Union is responding to the second Trump administration, the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, and how to build democratic solidarity in the face of rising authoritarianism.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday 14 October.
Guest: Tobias Cremer, Member of European Parliament
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Shorter America: Betting on death; Racist raids; Everything is fine by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2026)
Navigating Choppy Waters: Australia and the EU Chart a New Course by Margherita Matera & Philomena Murray, Australian Institute of International Affairs (March 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. 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.