One of Iran’s closest allies outside the Middle East is Russia. So, why did Vladimir Putin decide not to come to Tehran’s aid and provide military support as Israel and then America worked to destroy its nuclear program? Today, Anna Borshchevskaya from the Washington Institute, an expert in Russia’s policy in the Middle East, on what the war means for Moscow and whether Putin might help Iran to rebuild its nuclear capacity. Featured: Anna Borshchevskaya, senior fellow at the Washington Institute...
Jun 25, 2025•18 min
Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, declaring it should be called “The 12 Day War”. But there was confusion over whether Iran and Israel had agreed in the hours following the social media post. It came not long after Iran fired missiles at an American military base in Qatar, retaliating against the US bombing of its key nuclear sites. Today, Jonathan Panikoff from the Atlantic Council’s Middle East program on whether peace will hold. Featured: Jonathan Panikoff, direct...
Jun 24, 2025•15 min
After the US bombing of key nuclear facilities, Donald Trump is now raising the prospect of regime change in Iran. He wants to Make Iran Great Again and says it’s not ‘politically correct’ to discuss the idea, but he asks ‘why wouldn’t there be a regime change?’. Today, Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group on the three options now open to Iran’s leaders and why surrender is not the one they’ll go for. Featured: Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group...
Jun 23, 2025•16 min
The United States has joined the war with Iran, with American war planes dropping bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites. Donald Trump addressed the American people from the White House. He claims US bombs have “totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear enrichment sites. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thinks the action could usher in a future of peace in the Middle East. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on the widening conflict and what comes next. Featured: Rajan Menon,...
Jun 22, 2025•17 min
A week since Israel began the conflict with Iran there’s been no great shock to the global economy. But a significant escalation in the conflict could see a spike in oil and petrol prices, raising the prospect of surging inflation, once again. Today, the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler steps through the potential impacts for Australians’ finances and why we shouldn’t be too worried, for now. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance presenter
Jun 19, 2025•14 min
Israel’s strikes against Iran took the regime and residents in Tehran largely by surprise. Even though striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had long been part of Israel’s playbook, the Israeli people have been caught up as some Iranian missiles get through the defences. The conflict has been foreshadowed in warnings Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given about Iran’s nuclear program for decades. But do Israelis back Netanyahu’s case for action and what is his endgame in Iran? Today, the A...
Jun 18, 2025•16 min
Israel has been ramping up pressure on Donald Trump for the US to join its strikes on Iran. It’s believed that only the US has the bombs that could destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities hidden deep underground. But does the Iranian regime actually have the nuclear capability the Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu says it does and was it really close to building a bomb? Today, nuclear weapons expert Ben Zala from Monash University on Iran’s nuclear program and whether Israel really needed to strike no...
Jun 17, 2025•15 min
As Donald Trump was watching a military parade in Washington DC, huge numbers of Americans took to the streets in the largest nationwide protests against his administration since his return to the White House. They were declaring ‘No Kings’, rallying against what they say is Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and the threat he poses to democracy. Today, Molly Ball, senior political correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, on the shift in public mood and what it means for the president. Featured:...
Jun 16, 2025•16 min
Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu insists his sweeping attacks on Iran are a necessity to protect his country from a ‘nuclear holocaust’. But what is his ultimate aim? The two countries are exchanging attacks, with an Israeli strike hitting the world’s biggest gas field and some Iranian missiles hitting buildings inside Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu insists the attacks were nothing compared to what Iran would see in the coming days. Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on ...
Jun 15, 2025•14 min
Across America, protests against Donald Trump’s immigration raids are popping up, a week since the unrest in Los Angeles began. Protesters are incensed that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continue to enter workplaces to round up undocumented immigrants. But it’s Donald Trump’s decision to send California National Guard troops and Marines to LA to protect federal agents and property that’s really causing a stir. Today, Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, on why ...
Jun 12, 2025•15 min
Since Israel began allowing a limited amount of food back into Gaza, the handout has been marked by disturbing scenes, including civilians being shot dead near the limited aid distribution sites. Today, we speak with Australian James Elder, the global spokesman for UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children. He’s on the ground in Gaza and explains why the chaos was inevitable. Featured: James Elder, Global Spokesman for UNICEF
Jun 11, 2025•15 min
California’s governor insists protests against Trump’s immigration crackdown in Los Angeles were being brought under control by local police. So, why did the US president overrule the Democratic state leaders and send in National Guard troops and now the Marines? Today, Melanie Mason, a senior reporter covering California politics for POLITICO on Trump’s dramatic intervention, fears it could escalate the unrest and what’s motivating the US president. Featured: Melanie Mason, senior political rep...
Jun 10, 2025•15 min
The explosive break-up of Donald Trump and Elon Musk has been fascinating to watch as the pair trade insults and threats. Could there be a reconciliation between the president and the billionaire? Or could Elon Musk follow through on his threats to start backing other political forces? Musk’s space and satellite businesses are heavily involved in the US government, so there could be real world consequences if the two don’t come to some sort of understanding. Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the cen...
Jun 09, 2025•15 min
The oil and gas giant Woodside has been handed a big win by Labor, with the life of its massive gas plant in Western Australia extended until 2070. That’s great news for the company that wants to start extracting gas from a new basin off the WA coast. But given that almost all the gas is sent overseas, what’s it in for Australian taxpayers and what about the climate? Today, reporter Jo Lauder from the ABC’s climate team on why the Albanese government has approved the extension even though we’re ...
Jun 08, 2025•15 min
Donald Trump is demanding America’s allies massively boost defence spending and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be ‘imminent’. At the same time, the United Kingdom, one of Australia’s closest allies, is rushing to invest billions of dollars in its defence force to make sure it’s ‘war ready’. Today, Peter Dean from the United States Studies Centre at Sydney University on what that all means for us and whether our defence force is fit for purpose. Featured...
Jun 05, 2025•15 min
Interest rates might be coming down, but house prices are heading in the other direction, once again. Given there is a major problem with housing affordability and there are so many people who can’t even afford to enter the market, who keeps pushing up prices? Today, the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on why history is repeating and conditions are ripe for a housing price surge like that in the early 2000s. He explains why housing really needs to become a bad investment. Featured: Alan Kohler,...
Jun 04, 2025•15 min
For a second day, the accused in the keenly watched mushroom murder trial has been questioned in court. Erin Patterson is accused of murdering her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson along with Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson with death cap mushrooms served at a beef wellington lunch in 2023. She denies the charges. Today, co-host of the Mushroom Case Daily podcast, Stephen Stockwell, on Erin Patterson’s evidence and the key evidence the court has heard over the past five weeks. Featured: Step...
Jun 03, 2025•15 min
Elon Musk has spent a lot of time inside the Oval Office since Donald Trump returned to the White House. It was from there that the world’s richest man, sporting a black eye, was farewelled from his role in the Trump administration on Friday. He insists his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has made great progress, cutting more than $150 billion from the US budget. But that falls well short of his initial wildly optimistic claims that he could slash one trillion dollars in ...
Jun 02, 2025•15 min
Why would dozens of psychiatrists, dedicated to helping people at times of crisis, walk away from their jobs? On one hand it’s a simple pay dispute, but those who’ve been inside the system say it’s broken, with a demoralised workforce delivering substandard care. There’s a spotlight on the failures of mental health care in the New South Wales public system and a doctor has shared fears of another ‘Bondi Junction’ attack after witnessing someone with violent thoughts absconding from hospital. Tod...
Jun 01, 2025•16 min
Donald Trump has spent a long time praising him, but now the US president’s view of Vladimir Putin is shifting. Trump’s high hopes of getting Putin to the negotiating table are fading and Russia has recently launched one of the largest bombardments on Kyiv since the start of the war. Now, the end of the war in Ukraine seems as elusive as ever and Trump says Putin is ‘crazy’ and ‘playing with fire’. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on why Putin is humouring Trump but will never d...
May 29, 2025•15 min
When it looked like heavy rain was on its way, Taree farmer Josh Hack knew he had to act and move his cattle to higher ground. Now, like so many others, Josh is facing the cleanup from the record-breaking floods that devastated large parts of the NSW Mid North Coast and Hunter regions. Today, we consider the plight of Australia’s farmers like Josh, but also those further south fighting their way through severe drought and ask the question; is Australia still fit for farming? Featured: Josh Hack,...
May 28, 2025•16 min
Donald Trump is beginning to make a habit of confronting world leaders while the cameras are rolling in the Oval Office. His latest victim is South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa who was ambushed with Trump’s claims that white farmers are being persecuted in his country. Today, Nancy Jacobs, a professor of history at Brown University on why Trump is so keen to spread false assertions of genocide and why white South Africans are moving to the US as refugees. Featured: Nancy Jacobs, professor ...
May 27, 2025•14 min
World leaders are strengthening their condemnations of Israel after it's renewed assault in Gaza and limiting the supply of humanitarian aid. Anthony Albanese described the ongoing blockade as 'an outrage' after the UK, France and Canada threatened sanctions last week, urging Israel to halt its latest offensive and allow more food and supplies into the besieged territory. Nevertheless, Israel's leadership is pressing ahead. Today, a British surgeon in Gaza about the conditions on the ground, and...
May 26, 2025•16 min
It was a decision driven by spite for Sydney man Peter Anderson. He was determined to buy a solar battery for his home so he could take money away from the big power companies, while never receiving a hefty power bill again. But his plan came unstuck after agreeing to participate in a so-called virtual power plant. Today, energy reporter David Mercer on Peter’s dilemma, how giving back to the grid really works and whether it’s worth it. Featured: Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter...
May 25, 2025•15 min
Elon Musk’s once firm grasp on the EV market seems to be crumbling as Tesla sales slump, so bring in Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. He’s investing in Slate, an auto start-up building a cheap bare-bones electric pick-up truck in the USA, called a ute in Australia. It’ll be much cheaper than Musk’s controversial Tesla Cybertruck. Today, Giles Parkinson, founder and editor of websites Renew Economy and The Driven gives us an update on the EV market in Australia and how Slate could be a game changer if ...
May 22, 2025•15 min
Interest rates are falling, inflation is down and the Reserve Bank seems happier than it’s been in ages. So, have we achieved the so-called soft landing after all the economic turmoil we’ve suffered since the pandemic? Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the latest rate cut, how many more we should expect and why Donald Trump could upend it all. Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent
May 21, 2025•15 min
It had been a constant of federal politics, but the coalition between the Liberal and National parties has come to a dramatic end following a disastrous election defeat. The Nationals are breaking away after the Liberals rejected a demand that key policy areas were part of the agreement between the parties. Today, the ABCs chief digital political correspondent, Jacob Greber, on why they couldn’t move past their differences and what it means for Australian politics. Featured: Jacob Greber, ABC ch...
May 20, 2025•15 min
He dropped out of the presidential race last July, but the focus is now back on Joe Biden. The former US leader has not only been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, but a new book released this week has accused the White House of covering up a decline in his health before he stepped down to make way for Kamala Harris. Today, Bruce Wolpe, a senior fellow from the United States Studies Centre on Biden’s cancer diagnosis and why staying in the race for so long may have changed th...
May 19, 2025•14 min
When Queensland woman Emma Lovell was stabbed to death by a teenager in 2022, the community and nation was shocked. The 17-year-old offender had broken into her home on Boxing Day as the family slept. The crime was a catalyst for a campaign for stricter sentencing for youths and Queensland went on to become the first state to introduce ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ laws. Today, ABC News Queensland presenter Jessica van Vonderen on why other states could follow suit. Featured: Jessica van Vonderen, A...
May 18, 2025•15 min
This week, Donald Trump paused his massive tariffs on Chinese goods entering the US for 90 days, slashing the rate from 145 to 30 percent. China has also come to the bargaining table, dropping 125 percent tariffs on imports from the US to 10 percent. So, is the US president’s economic dream of bringing manufacturing back to America dead? Today, we speak with a US outdoor clothing designer caught up in the tariff chaos about what it’s been like and to an economist to make sense of it all. Feature...
May 15, 2025•15 min
