Wed 11 Mar 2026 17.00
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
The Australian government has been trying to placate Trump in order to secure the AUKUS submarine deal – and now we are seeing the results.
On this episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the illegal US-Israel war in Iran, the implications of the conflict for the Middle East, and why Australian personnel were on board an American nuclear-powered submarine when it sank an Iranian warship.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 March.
What we owe the water: It’s time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code ‘PODVP’ at checkout to get free shipping.
You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
Australia’s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press
Iran strikes are Donald Trump’s ninth foreign military action in 14 months by Simon Elvery, ABC (March 2026)
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.
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.
The President of Peace has started another war. It began with the bombing of a school in southern Iran. According to Iranian authorities, the death toll from that strike now sits at 168. Many of the victims were children.
An extract from Amy Remeikis’ new book, Where It All Went Wrong: The Case Against John Howard’
The Australia Institute’s International & Security Affairs advisor Allan Behm said the “decapitation of the regime” in Iran marks the beginning of “massive instability bordering on long-term chaos”.
