After America
The United States we thought we knew is gone. And it isn’t coming back.
Every week on After America, Dr Emma Shortis examines the second Trump presidency, what’s happening in global politics, and how Australia can help shape our rapidly changing world for the better.
Presented by the Australia Institute.
“I’m not a dictator”: how Trump is consolidating executive power
Trump is behaving like “an emperor”, enabled by insufficient checks and balances on the power of the Oval Office.
August 2025
Empire strikes back
An imperial revival is occurring under the second Trump presidency.
The Trump-Putin bromance continues at Alaska meeting
US President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. But did he get played again?
Will Trump run again?
“Probably not…”
Australians march for Palestine as Trump shoots the messenger
From Gaza to AUKUS, pressure for change is building on Australian foreign policy.
July 2025
Are the Democrats an unworkable coalition?
By courting neo-cons and failing to address cost of living concerns, have establishment Democrats signed the party’s death warrant?
Six months down, 42 to go (maybe…)
It’s only been SIX MONTHS.
Trump’s pharma tariffs would hurt Americans the most
A 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals would help Big Pharma make bigger profits, but it’d be a disaster for Americans’ health.
Trump’s Big Bill makes America more dangerous while enriching a few
The legislation will turbocharge inequality and the climate catastrophe – and it’s all part of the administration’s plan to radically reshape American society.
How’s that trade war working out?
Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had signed a trade deal with China. Did it though?
June 2025
Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war?
It’s never about regime change (until it is).
“Mugged by reality”: Australia’s AUKUS disaster with Malcolm Turnbull
Australia traded sovereignty for security with the AUKUS submarine deal, but it might end up with neither.
Trump-Musk meltdown & the administration’s ‘crystal ball’
Musk may be out, but the influence of the tech bros has never been greater.
The golden age
Trump promised a golden age for the US economy – and now a golden dome to protect the continent.
May 2025
Another Oval Office ambush
Trump’s confrontation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was about trying to show who’s in charge.
The ‘better America’ bias
Donald Trump isn’t an aberration – he’s as much a product of American history as JFK or Barack Obama.
Oligarchy or democracy?
The Trump administration is orchestrating a colossal transfer of wealth and power to the very rich.
The Trump effect
How big a role did Trump play in Australia’s remarkable federal election result?
April 2025
Boys will be boys
The white men in the White House are trying to radically reshape modern America.
Trump and the Australian election
The United States is disappearing down an authoritarian rabbit hole and Australian leaders are struggling to respond.
Golfing while Rome burns
However well the 47th president hit ‘em in Florida, he cannot find a green with his tariffs.
Bully’s gonna bully
The Australian defence and foreign policy establishment is trying to continue with alliance-as-usual with America, but Trump will always put Australia’s interests second.
No joke
The Trump administration’s approach to the world can be summed up in three emojis: fist, American flag, fire. The president, meanwhile, is busy “not joking” about staying in office for an unconstitutional third term.
March 2025
We don’t need no Education
Trump has signed an Executive Order that seeks to dismantle the Federal Department of Education – but can he actually do it?
Dog acts
The will-he-or-won’t-he game over Trump’s steel and alumnium tariffs is over. Turns out he will – despite the apparent offerings of the Australian Government.
Why Russia’s aggression cannot be rewarded with Vasyl Myroshnychenko
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia joins us to discuss why defending Ukraine’s sovereignty is critical for Australia, America and other democracies around the world.
Insecurity guarantee
After a week when America’s reliability as an ally was called into question, new research shows that more Australians think Donald Trump is the greatest threat to world peace than either Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin.
February 2025
Thrown under the bus: Ukraine abandoned by the Trump administration
Trump appears to want a quick and dirty end to Russia’s invasion, but at what cost to Ukraine and to America’s reputation?
With friends like these
The Trump administration is chatting with Putin and telling European leaders that they’re the problem. So what does this mean for Australia?
“A crime against humanity”: Trump’s intentions for Gaza
Trump’s proposal for the US to “own” Gaza and force out the Palestinian population would make it American policy to support “a crime against humanity”, says US foreign policy expert, Matt Duss.
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