Trump is fighting for a worse deal with Iran

featuring Emma Shortis
President Donald J. Trump speaks with members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April 16, 2026, en route Joint Base Andrews for a trip to Las Vegas. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
The White House/Flickr

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After tearing up the Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Obama, Trump is trying to bomb his way to a better outcome and it’s failing spectacularly.

On this episode of After America, nuclear policy expert Jon B Wolfsthal and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US-Iran negotiations, the risks of this conflict metastasising, and how Trump is continuing to break down the guardrails around the use of nuclear weapons.

This episode was recorded on Friday 17 April.

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Guest: Jon B Wolfsthal, US Nuclear Policy Fellow, PAX sapiens // @jonatomic

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Show notes:

Shorter America: The consequences of not caring; The enemy of your enemy is not your friend; Visions for the future by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026)

What Is the Iran Nuclear Deal?, Council on Foreign Relations

Photo: The White House/Flickr (U.S. Government work)

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.auSubscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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