Tue 23 Sep 2025 06.00
The White House/Flickr
After a rocky week for Australian diplomacy, Prime Minister Albanese is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly…and maybe, just maybe, a meeting with President Trump.
On this episode of After America, Allan Behm joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the MAGA movement’s weaponisation of Charlie Kirk’s murder, why no Trump meeting might be the best outcome for Anthony Albanese, formal recognition of Palestine, and Australia’s disastrous fortnight of Pacific diplomacy.
This episode was recorded on Monday 22 September.
‘Save Tuvalu, Save the World’ is our September Politics in the Pub – join us at 6.30pm on Wednesday 24 September live in Canberra or via the livestream.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International Affairs, the Australia Institute
Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation is the latest sign we’re witnessing the end of US democracy by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (September 2025)
Australia’s failure of diplomacy in PNG shows we can’t – and won’t – understand our Pacific neighbours by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (September 2025)
Anote Tong & Dr Monique Ryan MP | Melbourne, the Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024)
Rt Hon Enele Sopoaga PC – Keynote | Climate Integrity Summit 2024, The Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024)
Is Australia REALLY choosing to help our Pacific neighbours? The Australia Institute on YouTube (August 2025)
Photo: The White House/Flickr (U.S. Government work)
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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
The Democrats have been criticised for “caving” to Donald Trump to end the longest government shutdown in US history, but political pundits believe the move may be part of a deliberate long-game strategy.
As China shapes the world, who are the people shaping China?
Soaring costs of living and the nation’s longest government shutdown have fueled fierce voter backlash against US President Donald Trump with the Democrats being handed sweeping victories in multiple state elections.
It isn’t always easy to keep up with what’s happening in the US. “Shorter America” is a series where Dr Emma Shortis loops you in on what’s going on in America and shares news and analysis that you can trust.
