The White House/Flickr
The ‘president of peace’ has started another war with Iran, with no apparent regard for the consequences.
On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US-Israeli attacks own Iran and the assassination of its leader, Trump and Netanyahu’s cynical messages for the Iranian people, what this war means for nuclear proliferation, and the Australian government’s “deeply disappointing” response.
This discussion was recorded on Monday 2 March 2026.
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Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
The Mar-a-Lago model: how Trump is trying to dominate global governance, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
Shorter America This Week: The State of the Union is… bad; AI is also bad; But hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)
How to foster global lawlessness: Destroy the UN and its agencies by Allan Behm, The Point (January 2026)
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.
Prime Minister Curtin’s Christmas 1941 newspaper column advised the Australian people that henceforth we would look to America as our protector rather than Britain. To have questioned our trust in the USA at that time would have been unthinkable. A decade later, under Prime Minister Menzies, trust was cemented into the ANZUS treaty, which has remained the cornerstone of Australia’ security and self-confidence ever since. It has become an article of faith.
Donald Trump’s escalating military build-up in the Middle East has raised fears that the United States is on the brink of a new war with Iran.
For some strange reason, foursomes are back in vogue. Maybe it’s the persistence of Bridge Clubs, or the strange return of American Foursomes in the golfing world. How else can one explain the hold that quadrilaterals have over the imaginations of defence planners in the US and Australia?
