After America

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.