Tue 20 Oct 2026 05.10 AEDT
The White House/Flickr
In 'Shorter America', Dr Emma Shortis keeps you up-to-date on the United States with news and analysis that you can trust.
With dozens of strategic bombers and nine Carrier Strike Groups, the United States likes to maintain a near-permanent display of its military might (what defence groupies call “strategic posture”) around the globe. Until it can’t.
This week, the Pacific showed world leaders firsthand what climate change looks like. Back home, the Coalition and One Nation saw something else. They saw an opportunity to dog whistle and punch down on our Pacific nations.
The United States keeps showing us what an unreliable ally it is. Are European governments now getting the message?
Dr Tobias Cremer, Member of European Parliament, joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss how the European Union is responding to the second Trump administration, the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement, and how to build democratic solidarity in the face of rising authoritarianism.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday 14 October.
Guest: Tobias Cremer, Member of European Parliament
Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Show notes:
Quality research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts you can trust.
Shorter America: Betting on death; Racist raids; Everything is fine by Emma Shortis, The Point (October 2026)
Navigating Choppy Waters: Australia and the EU Chart a New Course by Margherita Matera & Philomena Murray, Australian Institute of International Affairs (March 2026)
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
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. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
