After America

On this special episode, we’re joined by two commissioners from the new community-led, independent inquiry into the AUKUS security deal.
This episode was recorded live on Thursday 4 June.
Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.
Guest: Karina Lester, Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Australia Ambassador
Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb
Show notes:
An independent public inquiry into the AUKUS security partnership
ICAN Australia
Polling – Australia, the US and Iran War, the Australia Institute (May 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even as the Trump administration facilitates the demise of the international order the United States helped create, the Australian government’s embrace of Aukus ties the two countries ever closer.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss op-shop submarines, the Democrats’ review of the 2024 election, and Trump’s Iran loop.
This episode was recorded on Monday 1 June.
Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb
Show notes:
Shorter America: The Iran clown show continues; Trump threatens to bomb an ally (again); Trump doesn’t care by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)
Democrats Can’t Avoid a Reckoning with Gaza by Matt Duss, The Nation (May 2026)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
Major Aukus switch to buy only secondhand subs from US means ‘significant’ cost savings, Marles says by Tom McIlroy & Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the global upheaval caused by the Trump administration, the Australian government is trying to plough on with AUKUS as if Biden was still in charge.
On this episode of After America, Guardian Australia journalist Ben Doherty joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the likelihood of the Australia ever receiving a nuclear-powered submarine, the “dangerously undemocratic” secrecy around key elements of the AUKUS agreement, and Australia’s significantly changed strategic environment.
This episode was recorded on Friday 22 May.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Aukus nuclear submarine base would ‘place a massive target on our backs’, NSW labour union warns by Krishani Dhanji & Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
As Aukus spending and delays blow out, will Australia’s nuclear submarines ever materialise? by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
Shorter America: Ivy League brain; These men; Shared fates, shared future by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
WEBINAR | Submarine Dreams: understanding Australia’s commitment to AUKUS, the Australia Institute (October 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stuck in a quagmire of its own making in Iran, the Trump administration has little to show for its diplomatic efforts in Beijing.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the fallout from Donald Trump’s China visit, how Xi Jinping got the commentariat talking about long-dead Greeks, and why Trump’s approval rating is still hitting new depths.
This episode was recorded on Monday 18 May.
The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb
Show notes:
Shorter America: He started it; Won't someone think of the billionaires; Creeps and weirdos by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
Trump addresses Xi's WARNING over Taiwan, Fox News on YouTube (May 2026)
Trump weighs pause on Taiwan arms sale, Chinese sanctions relief by Jessica Gardener, Australian Financial Review (May 2026)
Tracking the presidency, The Economist (May 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A majority of Australians now think Donald Trump is a bigger threat to world peace than either Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping.
On the 100th episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss new Australia Institute polling on Australians’ views of Trump, the deadlock between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, and what it might take for the Australian government to get out of the AUKUS submarine deal.
This episode was recorded on Monday 11 May.
The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb
Show notes:
It’s not me, it’s you – Australians ready to break up with Trump’s America, the Australia Institute (May 2026)
Shorter America: The past is never past; Great (bad) men; Magical thinking by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3Q70UxN
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.