Sat, 5th, Sept, 2026: Dr Emma Shortis; Dir International & Security Affairs Program, The Australia Institute; and host of the After America podcast
Joining us on Saturday Magazine now is Dr Emma Shortis, Director of International and Security Affairs at the Australia Institute and author of After America. This week marks the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, but instead of critical reflection on our security ties, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles was in Washington meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. With the US confirming plans to accelerate its military footprint on Australian soil, Emma is here to discuss what this means for Australian sovereignty and whether our foreign policy needs an urgent overhaul. Welcome back to JOY, Emma!
75th Anniversary of ANZUS: Marking three-quarters of a century of the alliance.
Marles in Washington: Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles met with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, resulting in headlines that the US will “accelerate military presence in Australia”.
Uncritical Alliance Alignment: Shortis argues the Australian government refuses to interrogate the actions or internal politics of the US administration, opting instead for automatic compliance under the banner of being “good friends”.
Controversies Surrounding Pete Hegseth: Points to US military actions in the Pacific/Caribbean, as well as sweeping ideological purges within the US military oversight under Hegseth’s tenure.
Divergence in Values: Highlighting the disconnect between Australia’s rhetoric on the “international rules-based order” and the actions of top US defense leadership.
Alternative Foreign Policy: Recommends a pivot toward sovereign, independent foreign policy, pointing to new work by her colleague Allan Behm (New Game, New Rules: A foreign policy for dystopian times).
The post Sat, 5th, Sept, 2026: Dr Emma Shortis; Dir International & Security Affairs Program, The Australia Institute; and host of the After America podcast appeared first on Saturday Magazine.