Tue 8 Sep 2026 05.15 AEST
AAP Image/Lukas Coch
The UN Environment Programme's new report, Limiting Overshoot, makes for frightening reading for young people across the Pacific. It confirms what we have been warning for years: because the world chose not to stop burning fossil fuels, global temperatures are now set to cross 1.5°C, most likely within a few years. Those temperatures can still be brought back down over time, but only if the world finally does what the science has long demanded.
Australia cannot assume it will have any control over what US submarines do in its waters or while docked at facilities near Perth, an independent inquiry into the AUKUS deal has heard.
The government has promised to use its COP31 presidency to elevate the priorities of our Pacific neighbours. This is a serious test for our government because it has a history of claiming to support Pacific interests on climate but then undermining them when push comes to shove.
Nine nuclear weapons states are holding the rest of the world “hostage to annihilation”, but the Australian government is yet to act on a global ban.
On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis reflects on the United States’ military footprint in Australia, before former Australian Minister for International Development Melissa Parke joins the show to discuss the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
This episode was recorded Thursday 26 August.
Join Dr Emma Shortis and Allan Behm at 6pm, Tuesday 22 September for the Melbourne launch of Allan’s new book, New Game New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times.
Guest: Melissa Parke, former Minister for International Development & Executive Director, International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons // @MelissaParke01
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Quality research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts you can trust.
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
New Game, New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times by Allan Behm, the Australia Institute (August 2026)
The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war? by Ben Doherty, Andy Ball & Nick Evershed, Guardian Australia (September 2026)
The U.S. Has Killed 227 Civilians in Boat Strikes During “A Year of Murders” by Nick Turse, The Intercept (September 2026)
Shorter America: An unhealthy alliance; Our “good friend” Pete; Oh my god these men (cont.) by Emma Shortis, The Point (August 2026)
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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
