There are questions about the future of Taiwan after Donald Trump declared he’s “not looking to have somebody go independent”. The US president met China’s leader in Beijing and says Xi Jinping asked him whether the US would defend Taiwan. What do Trump’s comments mean for US-China relations and how likely is a Chinese invasion of the self-governed island? Today, Samir Puri, visiting lecturer in war studies at King’s College London on President Xi Jinping’s warning to Trump and whether the Chine...
May 20, 2026•16 min
Labor wants its budget to be seen as a concrete step towards levelling the playing field between the generations. But Newspoll suggests it’s the most unpopular federal budget in more than 30 years. Across the polls, Labor’s support is steady or declining, while One Nation rises above the Coalition. Will bolder economic policies from Labor and the Coalition stop the collapse of Australia’s two-party system and the rise of minor parties and independents? Today, Michelle Grattan, political correspo...
May 19, 2026•15 min
With so many tech bosses accompanying Donald Trump on his recent trip to China, expectations were high that AI and high tech business deals would be central to the talks. But in the end, there was no breakthrough on selling US firm Nvidia’s high tech AI chips to China. So where does that leave the race for AI dominance and how are China and the US approaching AI differently? Today, China tech expert Selina Xu on who’s ahead right now and what happens next. Featured: Selina Xu, China tech researc...
May 18, 2026•15 min
If you’ve got a family trust, you’re probably doing pretty well. They’ve been used for generations to distribute wealth and reduce tax bills. Now the government’s moving to make sure the tax office receives more from the earnings, imposing a minimum 30 percent tax on discretionary trusts. Today, Kristen Sobeck a tax expert at the University of Canberra on the new tax on trusts. Featured: Kristen Sobeck, economics lecturer at the University of Canberra
May 17, 2026•15 min
Marco Rubio is hitting his stride, he’s Trump’s National Security Advisor and his Secretary of State, he’s taken over the White House press briefing, sat down with the Pope and is now in China for Trump’s showdown with President Xi. No wonder speculation is growing that he could be the next Republican presidential nominee, instead of Vice President JD Vance. Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the Niskanen Center think tank on the new political battle in the US. Featured: Geoff Kabaservice, Niskanen C...
May 14, 2026•16 min
It’s been an ordeal for those who embarked on a cruise across in early April and it’s not over yet. The ship's passengers are being repatriated across the world after potential exposure to hantavirus, which caused the death of three passengers. Among those heading home are four Australians who will soon be placed in a quarantine facility in Western Australia. What is the virus, how does it spread and should we be worried about it? Today epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre from UNSW on everything you ...
May 13, 2026•16 min
The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered his 2026 budget, unveiling a new tax cut and some of the most significant tax changes in decades. Delivered as war impacts the economy, it’s being sold as a budget that addresses the growing inequality between generations, with the treasurer declaring Labor is on the hard road of reform. But will changes to taxes on property investors and family trusts really level the playing field? The ABC’s chief business correspondent Ian Verrender joins Sam Hawley in...
May 12, 2026•21 min
For decades, Russia’s Victory Day parade has brought tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles to Red Square to celebrate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. But not this year. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin scaled back the event due to the risk of a Ukrainian long range attack on Moscow. At the same time, media reports citing a European intelligence service suggest security is increasing around Putin and there’s even a risk of a coup. Today, Matthew Sussex, Russia expert at the Austral...
May 11, 2026•16 min
Why is it up to the Reserve Bank to control inflation with interest rates? Imagine if there were other tools that spread the pain to more people, not just those repaying a home loan. Perhaps the government could force workers to put more money into their superannuation accounts or move the GST up and down depending on the inflation rate. Today, independent economist Chris Richardson assesses the options. Featured: Chris Richardson, independent economist
May 10, 2026•16 min
It’s a new sort of warfare and it’s not taking place on the battlefield. Backers of Iran are creating so-called ‘slopaganda’ using AI generated videos to mock the United States and President Donald Trump. But while Iranian diplomats are sharing the viral videos, are they actually changing anyone’s mind? Today, Brett Schafer from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue on how Iran is using meme warfare to soften the regime’s image. Featured: Brett Schafer, senior director at the Institute for Strate...
May 07, 2026•15 min
Anthony Albanese is about to break a major election promise. Next week’s budget will reveal just how dramatic the government’s changes to generous tax breaks for property investors will be. The expected shake up to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount follows the prime minister’s promises during the last election campaign to leave the arrangements as they were. Have concerns around generational inequality in housing made breaking an election promise feasible? Today, host of ABC Ra...
May 06, 2026•16 min
The US President Donald Trump has launched what he’s calling ‘Project Freedom’, promising to rescue commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Already Iran has resumed firing on the UAE and the US says it’s destroyed Iranian military boats in the Strait. Today, Jennifer Parker, a former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer, on the new phase of the Iran war. Featured: Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Professor at the Defence and Security Institute at The University of Western Australia...
May 05, 2026•15 min
The war in Iran is creating economic uncertainty around the world, with higher inflation putting pressure on central banks, including the RBA, to hike interest rates. So, why are stocks still surging on Wall Street, driving the value of the world’s biggest sharemarkets to record highs? Today the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on why investors remain so optimistic and it’s got a lot to do with AI. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert
May 04, 2026•15 min
The nation was shocked when 95-year-old Clare Nowland died after being tasered by a NSW police officer at an aged care facility in 2023. While police forces defend their policies and training, there are concerns that officers draw the weapon too quickly, not just when danger is imminent. There’s also a controversial medical diagnosis called “excited delirium” that’s been used to explain why it’s not the device that’s causing deaths. Are the devices really as safe as their maker insists? Today, r...
May 03, 2026•16 min
In the past week Donald Trump’s obsession with building his grand ballroom has reared its head again. He was even talking about it after the suspected third attempt on his life. The US president has torn down parts of the East Wing of the White House to make way for the huge structure that will dominate the White House. Today, Dan Diamond, White House reporter at the Washington Post on legal efforts to stop the president and what Trump’s motive really is. Featured: Dan Diamond, Washington Post W...
Apr 30, 2026•15 min
The growth of the NDIS is about to be slashed, but what tool will the government use to determine who gets to stay and whose disability supports are cut? Today, we speak with Martin Laverty, an architect of the NDIS and now head of disability services provider, Aruma. We also speak with Jess Howlett who has autism, about her fears she’ll be unfairly removed from the scheme. Featured: Jess Howlett, diagnosed with level 2 autism Martin Laverty, chief executive of disability accommodation and servi...
Apr 29, 2026•15 min
China buys lots of Iran’s oil, but it’s trying to avoid getting drawn into the war, instead calling for de-escalation and peace in the Middle East. So, what role is Beijing actually playing, how is its economy affected and what is it learning about the United States’ military? Today, Neil Thomas, an expert in China’s politics from the Asia Society Policy Institute on Xi Jinping’s strategy and standing in the world. Featured: Neil Thomas, fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society Policy Inst...
Apr 28, 2026•15 min
Donald Trump’s dislike of the press has seen him repeatedly refuse to attend the annual White House correspondent’s dinner in Washington DC. But this year he’d taken his seat not long before a 31 year old tried to burst into the function room armed with guns and knives. The US president has described the suspect as ‘sick’. Today, we speak with Missy Ryan, staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, who was in the room when the chaos began. Featured: Missy Ryan, staff writer at The Atlantic...
Apr 27, 2026•16 min
A video posted by Senator David Pocock has gone viral, leaving some viewers asking why the gas giants aren’t paying more for the resources they extract in Australia. The video reveals the government receives more money from a tax on beer than from the tax on the profits of massive oil and gas projects. But is that the whole story? Today, the ABC’s chief digital political correspondent Clare Armstrong on the growing campaign for a new gas tax and what to make of the push back from the industry. F...
Apr 26, 2026•16 min
More than seven weeks since the start of the war in Iran, flight schedules through the Middle East are still disrupted, but slowly recovering. Travellers are now more likely to get to their destinations on time, but the cost to airlines from the surging price of jet fuel is starting to bite. Today, aviation industry expert Ian Douglas on where things currently stand and why airfares aren’t coming down in price anytime soon. Featured: Ian Douglas, honorary senior lecturer at the University of New...
Apr 23, 2026•16 min
US President Donald Trump is all in on it, but could Australia 'drill baby drill' its way to fuel security and avoid oil shocks in the future? Australia used to have a network of refineries and we were mostly self-sufficient in fuel production. Who let so many close and why? Today, Alison Reeve, energy expert from the Grattan Institute on whether we really could build new refineries and successfully exploit new oil fields. Featured: Alison Reeve, Energy and Climate Change Program Director at the...
Apr 22, 2026•16 min
Donald Trump went into the war with Iran thinking it would be over quickly. More than seven weeks later, with a ceasefire about to end, there’s still no obvious off ramp, with uncertainty surrounding a second round of peace talks in Pakistan. Today, Nate Swanson, a former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration, on what the US president needs to do to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz Featured: Nate Swanson, former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration and former director for...
Apr 21, 2026•15 min
Donald Trump went into the war with Iran thinking it would be over quickly. More than seven weeks later there’s still no obvious off ramp, with uncertainty surrounding a second round of peace talks in Pakistan. Today, Nate Swanson, a former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration, on what the US president needs to do to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz Featured: Nate Swanson, former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration and former director for Iran at the National Security C...
Apr 21, 2026•15 min
Donald Trump went into the war with Iran thinking it would be over quickly. More than seven weeks later there’s still no obvious off ramp, with uncertainty surrounding a second round of peace talks in Pakistan. Today, Nate Swanson, a former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration, on what the US president needs to do to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz Featured: Nate Swanson, former Iran negotiator in the Trump administration and former director for Iran at the National Security C...
Apr 21, 2026•15 min
Shoppers have been dismayed by grocery price rises for years, now there are warnings that food will cost even more as the effects of the Iran war reach consumers. Transporting produce around the country will cost more due to high diesel prices, but farmers don’t necessarily get to recoup the surging costs on the farm itself. So how are our farmers faring and when will another round of price hikes reach us at the supermarket check-out? Today, we speak with agricultural business expert Stefan Voge...
Apr 20, 2026•15 min
Over the past eight years ADHD diagnoses among Australian adults have surged, especially among women. You might be surprised to hear where the ADHD capitals are. Today, Dr Norman Swan on his Four Corners investigation into the exclusive prescribing data and whether it shows ADHD is being over-diagnosed. Featured: Dr Norman Swan, Four Corners reporter and co-host of ABC Radio National’s Health Report and What's That Rash
Apr 19, 2026•16 min
What does Russia’s Vladimir Putin make of the Iran war? He’s one of the few beneficiaries, making vast sums of money as the oil price spiked and Donald Trump temporarily eased sanctions. The world’s attention has been diverted from his war in Ukraine and the thorn in his side, the NATO alliance, is under more pressure than ever. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on Trump’s growing anger about NATO’s refusal to help the US in the Strait of Hormuz and whether Europe will soon be re...
Apr 16, 2026•15 min
What’s behind US President Donald Trump’s attack on Pope Leo? After the leader of the Catholic Church criticised Trump’s threats to destroy Iranian civilisation, the president unleashed. Trump dismissed the Pope as ‘weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy’. Debate over the US leader's mental health has reignited since the fuel erupted and he posted an AI image depicting himself as Jesus. Today, David A. Graham from The Atlantic magazine on what Trump’s behaviour says about his ability to go...
Apr 15, 2026•16 min
The US blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz could make the fuel crunch in Australia even worse. The government’s urging Australians to do what they can to use less fuel, but when will more severe restrictions kick in? Today, Saul Kavonic, energy analyst at MST Financial on why we’re facing a ‘doomsday’ scenario that’s been war gamed for decades. He’s warning that fuel prices will not return to pre-war levels for at least a year. Featured: Saul Kavonic, energy analyst at MST Financia...
Apr 14, 2026•16 min
The peace talks failed, so now US President Donald Trump wants to further disrupt the vital oil shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz. A US blockade will stop ships entering or departing Iranian ports, but will it really work to bring an end to the conflict? Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on what happens next and why the Iran conflict is starting to look like a ‘forever war’ for Trump. Featured: Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute...
Apr 13, 2026•16 min
