160 years after the American Civil War, the Confederacy is ascendent.

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the Trump administration’s withdrawal of troops from Germany, why the United States is losing its war on Iran, and the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act.

This episode was recorded on Monday 4 May.

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Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

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

Show notes:

Hegseth’s ‘paranoia’ of being replaced explains purge of top general — as ally emerges for Army secretary’s role by Steven Nelson, New York Post (April 2026)

The FBI Director Is MIA by Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic (April 2026)

Return of the king?, After America (July 2024)

Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024)

Project 2025’s Distortion of Civil Rights Law Threatens Americans With Legalized Discrimination by Mariam Rashid and William Roberts, Centre for American Progress (October 2024)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

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