Tue 17 Mar 2026 05.15
The White House/Flickr
The Trump administration’s war on Iran is the most “incompetent, incoherent” war the United States has fought in a century, according to one US Senator.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the Trump administration’s apparent failure to plan for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pete Hegseth’s attacks on American media, and the Australian government’s response to the conflict.
This episode was recorded on Monday 16 March.
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // @angusrb
Show notes:
Shorter America This Week: Very complete, pretty much; We already know who’s next (it’s Cuba); Looksmaxxing by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026)
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)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press
Iran, not the US, currently has the strategic upper hand by Laura Tingle, ABC News (March 2026)
Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026)
Why Donald Trump is losing the war at home by David Smith, The Conversation (March 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.
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.
While the initial Israeli and US air strikes on Iran are legally very dubious, the pace with which the war has escalated will result in those significant legal issues being set aside – for the time being at least.
Former Greek finance minister and economist Yanis Varoufakis has warned that fascism is re-surging in global politics, with extremist ideas gaining influence even in countries where the far-right is not in power.
Australia’s AUKUS agreement has dragged the country into the Trump administration’s war on Iran with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused of obfuscating the country’s involvement.
