Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

Geraldine is back and feeling uncharacteristically pessimistic about the state of the world. So as the Australian government works hard to cement stronger ties in the Indo-Pacific region following China's display of military and political might, Hamish and Geraldine are joined by the Chief of the Australian Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart for a frank conversation about whether Australians need to come to terms with the possibility of a war in our region.  Recommendations:Geraldine Doogue: Address by Former senior Chinese diplomat Madame Fu Ying to the AFR Asia Summit 2025. Once available, it can be found HERE. Hamish Macdonald: ABC 7:30 Monday 8 September - interview with Julie Inman Grant (commences about 9:00 minutes in)+ The News Agents podcast - Nick Clegg: What really happened at Facebook?Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.auFind all the episodes of Global Roaming now via the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Einar Tangen, a Senior Fellow at the Taihe Institute and founder of Asia Narratives, and Bob Carr, former Australian Foreign Minister, dive into the shifting tides of global power with China at the helm. They discuss the implications of recent high-profile meetings among leaders like Xi and Modi, questioning whether this new alignment signals a permanent change. The dialogue probes into the historical impacts of WWII on China and evaluates its growing military presence, reshaping the landscape of international relations and Australia's strategic positioning.

Following the confirmation of famine in part of Gaza by the UN-backed IPC, Hamish Macdonald and guest host Kylie Morris speak to Anera's Gaza Branch Director Yazdan El-Amawi about what the situation is actually like for those living in Gaza. They also speak to Jodie Clark, who has decades of experience distributing humanitarian aid and worked most recently as Senior Logistics Coordinator for UNRWA, running the border crossing at Rafah. She explains how Israel's policies have made getting aid into Gaza increasingly difficult and she gives a shocking assessment of what is needed to break the famine. Recommendations:Kylie: Hostage - Mini series on NetflixHamish: Dust - Book by Michael BrissendenGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.auFind all the episodes of Global Roaming now via the ABC Listen App or wherever you get your podcasts. 

The Australian government has accused Iran of directing two antisemitic attacks in Australia and, for the first time since World War Two, has expelled an ambassador. They've also announced that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be designated as a terrorist organisation. Who are the IRGC and what motivated them to target Australia? Hamish Mcdonald and Kylie Morris react to the breaking news and discuss the significance of the day's developments. Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

He's young, he's slick, he's social media savvy and he rules with an iron first. Meet Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador who has quickly become an icon of the global right. He might style himself as the 'world's coolest dictator' and a 'philosopher king', but this leader is not like other authoritarian rulers. For a start, he's incredibly popular both at home and abroad - befriending the likes of Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. His rapid crackdown on gang-related crime has been labelled the 'Bukele miracle' and is being seen everywhere from Ecuador to America as a model to emulate. But it hasn't come without a steep cost... Journalist Vera Bergengruen is one of the only foreign journalists to have met and interviewed President Nayib Bukele. She wrote a profile of him for TIME Magazine. She speaks to Geraldine Doogue (2025 Andrew Olle lecture) and Hamish Macdonald (ABC Sydney Mornings, The Project) about what Nayib Bukele is really like. Recommendations:Geraldine: How are drones changing the landscape of modern warfare?   | BBC, The Inquiry podcast.Hamish: The 'evil drug' and court case that almost broke Alex Lloyd | Australian StoryGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

It’s not every day a foreign leader calls the Australian Prime Minister “weak” and accuses him of betraying the country’s Jewish community. But that’s exactly what Benjamin Netanyahu did this week, after the Albanese government announced its intention to recognise a Palestinian state and cancelled a visa for far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman.  Meanwhile, over in Washington, Donald Trump hosted Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, this time flanked by a chorus of European leaders including Macron, Starmer and Meloni.  In this bonus episode, Geraldine and Hamish analyse the two big foreign policy dramas that have been lighting up headlines this week. Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

In this conversation with Anna Nemtsova, a Russian-born journalist and expert on contemporary Russia, listeners are offered an eye-opening glimpse into Putin's regime. She discusses the paradox of Moscow's breathtaking beauty against a backdrop of oppression and political repression. The podcast explores how young Russians navigate identity amid national pride and European perspectives. Additionally, Anna sheds light on daily life under the government's pro-war narrative, revealing the complex sentiments of citizens who balance vibrant living with stringent control.

In a historic move, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this afternoon announced that Australia will move to recognise a state of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly next month, with a condition that terror group Hamas play no role in its future governance. Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald react to the news and discuss the significance of Australia's decision to follow other Western governments in taking this step. They also question what comes next, how Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might react to the news and whether this can actually make any difference on the ground in Gaza. Want to share your thoughts with us about today's news?We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Where do the arms involved in conflicts worldwide come from and who bears responsibility for how they are used in war?The US is by far the world's largest weapons manufacturer and exporter, accounting for around 40% of global exports. Many of these arms go to Israel and transfers have been supercharged since the start of the military assault on Gaza. Australia is also a player in the global arms trade, with a particular manufacturing role in the F-35 joint strike fighter program. With the Australian government taking a strong line on the humanitarian situation, why are we simultaneously transferring component parts for military jets that are striking Gaza?Guest: Josh Paul, former Director of Congressional and Public Affairs, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, in the US Department of State who resigned in protest at US arms shipments to Israel Statement from the Australian Department of Defence:"Australia has not supplied weapons or ammunition to Israel since the Israel-Gaza conflict began and not for at least the past five years.The F-35 relies on a global supply chain – one that is centrally coordinated by Lockheed Martin and the US Government.As a part of the global F-35 supply chain, Australian industry contributes components and parts, but the Australian Government does not have a direct bilateral arrangement with the Government of Israel in relation to the F-35 program."Recommendations:Geraldine: VJ Day in Australia newsreel, British MovietoneHamish: 'The World Since October 7', Adam Shatz in the London Review of BooksGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

This week, the prospect of Palestinian statehood suddenly became tangible, with the UK, France and Canada promising to recognise Palestine at the UN general assembly in September. Whether Australia will follow suit remains to be seen.  What can history tell us about the formation of new states out of violent conflict? Guest: Sir Christopher Clark, professor of history at the University of Cambridge Recommendations:Geraldine: 'The wrong way to respond to antisemitism', Inside StoryHamish: Andrew Olle Media Lecture 2025, presented by Geraldine Doogue, ABC iViewGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au