Tue 19 May 2026 05.15 AEST
The White House/Flickr
Stuck in a quagmire of its own making in Iran, the Trump administration has little to show for its diplomatic efforts in Beijing.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the fallout from Donald Trump’s China visit, how Xi Jinping got the commentariat talking about long-dead Greeks, and why Trump’s approval rating is still hitting new depths.
This episode was recorded on Monday 18 May.
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Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb
Show notes:
Shorter America: He started it; Won’t someone think of the billionaires; Creeps and weirdos by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
Trump addresses Xi’s WARNING over Taiwan, Fox News on YouTube (May 2026)
Trump weighs pause on Taiwan arms sale, Chinese sanctions relief by Jessica Gardener, Australian Financial Review (May 2026)
Tracking the presidency, The Economist (May 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.
In the midst of the global energy crisis sparked by the US-Israel war on Iran, Australia and Japan’s recommitment to fossil fuels is feeling less like energy security and more like a desperate attempt to maintain a beleaguered and risky status quo that prioritises corporate profits over the welfare of both nations’ citizens.
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.
