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The mindless menace of violence

Tue 16 Sep 2025 08.00

Democracy & Accountability
The mindless menace of violence
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On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Elon Musk’s latest foray into global far-right politics, and the devastating impact of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda.

This episode was recorded on Monday 15 September.

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis and Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss are available now via the Australia Institute website.

Host: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

Charlie Kirk Didn’t Shy Away From Who He Was. We Shouldn’t Either by Jamelle Bouie, The New York Times (September 2025)

On the Mindless Menace of Violence, Robert F. Kennedy (1968)

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s impact on Americans’ health, Fresh Air, NPR (September 2025)

RFK Jr. says COVID may have been ‘ethnically targeted’ to spare Jews by Jon Levine, New York Post (July 2023)

RFK Jr. says he’s “not familiar” with all health program cuts in exclusive interview, CBS News (April 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.

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