Vance joyless as US-Iran negotiations fall apart

The Trump administration’s failure to reach an agreement with Iran to end the war shouldn’t come as a surprise.
On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the consequences of failure in US-Iran negotiations, the oxymoron of Trump administration “diplomacy”, the future of NATO, and what this all means for Australia.
This episode was recorded on Friday 10 April.
Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Shorter America This Week: Ceasefire?; Madman theory; Group hugs in space by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026)
LIAR, LIAR, CEASE ON FIRE! PEP with Chas & Dr Emma Shortis, Planet PEP on YouTube (April 2026)
The Wrap: A missed opportunity to face reality by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026)
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.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Gas companies reap spoils of war | Between the Lines
The Wrap with Greg Jericho The middle of April each year is always when the pre-Budget noise gets louder, and the Government begins to frame the narrative. This year the stakes are as high as any budget in recent memory. The United States’ and Israel’s attacks on Iran and the subsequent closing of the Strait
As the US chooses destruction over diplomacy in Iran, Australia has to decide between principle and prostration
Australia, like Little Sir Echo, whimpers after the world’s premier bully bombs the ‘bully of the Middle East’.
All the way with the USA?
Despite demands from the hawks that the Australia Government fall in line with the United States over Iran, it’s not inevitable that Australia supports illegal American military intervention.


