If you think political shifts in Germany don't effect the rest of the world, think again. The country has been rocked by the interference of American Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk, who are openly backing the far-right, and the security of Europe may hang on whoever takes power next. Guest: Dr Constanze Stelzenmüller - Director of the Center on the United States and Europe and the inaugural holder of the Fritz Stern Chair on Germany and trans-Atlantic Relations at Brookings.Recommendations:Geraldine: Who will defend Europe? Keir Giles, FT.Hamish: German Election Campaign Flooded with Fake News and Videos Spiegel International.Get in touch:  We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

In a special mini-series, Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald get the answers to all your burning questions about AUKUS. In this first episode, we investigate how AUKUS came about - who spoke to who, what the true motivation was for going nuclear and whether the total secrecy around the deal was justified. NOTE: This podcast was first released on 20 December 2024.GUESTS: Andrew Fowler - investigative journalist and author of Nuked: The Submarine Fiasco that Sank Australia’s Sovereignty (MUP), which won the 2024 Walkley Book Award.Scott Morrison - 30th Prime Minister of Australia, now Non-Executive Vice Chairman of the US-headquartered advisory and consulting firm American Global Strategies LLC and member of several advisory boards, including the DYNE Strategic Advisory Board.GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

We've handed over $798 million to the US, but can we really be sure that President Trump is as 'supportive' of AUKUS as we've been told? It's just one of the burning questions you've been sending us about AUKUS, that we'll be answering in this special Q&A episode of Global Roaming. Guests: Jennifer Parker - Expert Associate at ANU’s National Security College, wo has over 20 years of service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).Rex Patrick - former Senator for South Australia and earlier a submariner in the armed forces. Rex is running for the Senate on the Lambie Network ticket this year. Recommendations:Jennifer: The Hunt for Red OctoberRex: Down PeriscopeGet in touch:  We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Canada has a lot going on right now. It's facing a potential trade war with the United States, President Trump wants it to become the 51st US state and its long-standing leader Justin Trudeau is set to depart in March, ahead of a general election where a Conservative victory looks likely. Former leader of Canada's Liberal Party Michael Ignatieff joins Geraldine and Hamish to discuss why he is taking President Trump's threats very seriously, and why he thinks we should too. Guest: Michael Ignatieff - former leader of the Liberal party of Canada. He teaches history at Central European University, Vienna. Audio grab courtesy of Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.Recommendations:Geraldine: Fire and Ashes: Success and Failure in Politics, by Michael IgnatieffHamish: Syria's new Islamist president consolidates power, Financial TimesGet in touch:  We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

A scrappy Chinese startup turned the tech world on its head this week, when news broke that DeepSeek had developed a competitive AI model much faster and cheaper than anyone thought possible. Does this mean China has pulled ahead in the arms race that could define our time? And what's really at stake in the battle for AI supremacy?Guest: Alice Han - an expert in Chinese macroeconomics, political economy, and global fintech and the Director of China at Greenmantle.Recommendations:Geraldine: Rogue Russia: nuclear poker - Slow Newscast podcast by Tortoise Media Hamish: A bushwalkGet in touch:  We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Geraldine and Hamish ask Donald Trump’s longest serving national security advisor whether there is method to what seems like madness in President Trump’s foreign policy announcements, and they get a message for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Guest: Ambassador John Bolton - served as national security adviser under US President Donald Trump for 17 months and is the author of "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir". Recommendations:Geraldine: Canada, Trump and the new world order by Michael IgnatieffHamish: Freedom by Angela MerkelGet in touch:  We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

In this discussion, Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia since March 2022, dives into the AUKUS deal's profound impacts on his state. He emphasizes the massive potential for job creation, estimating 20,000 new roles from the program. The conversation also tackles the complex challenges of nuclear waste management, economic viability of civil nuclear power, and the crucial need for skilled labor. Malinauskas advocates for cohesive national leadership to harness AUKUS’s benefits while ensuring community support and strategic security.

Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister, and Maria Rost Rublee, an expert in international security and nuclear politics, dive into the AUKUS alliance's implications. They discuss Australia’s first acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines and the regional anxieties this generates. The conversation highlights the contentious nuclear waste management challenges and the importance of community engagement. They also examine how Southeast Asian nations perceive AUKUS, reflecting on Australia's balancing act amidst U.S.-China tensions.

Sam Roggeveen, an expert on international security from the Lowy Institute and critic of AUKUS, fears Australia's sovereignty is at stake. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shares insights on dealing with U.S. expectations during his tenure. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles argues for the strategic benefits of AUKUS. They discuss the potential risks of over-reliance on U.S. military operations and the financial implications of contributing nuclear submarines to regional defense, alongside Australia's need for a more independent security strategy.

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, and Hugh Jeffrey, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Defence, delve into the intricate dynamics of the AUKUS alliance. They discuss how China's rapid military expansion influences Australia's defense strategy. The conversation highlights the importance of nuclear-powered submarines and advanced military technology under AUKUS. They also explore the geopolitical implications of maritime dependencies and the significance of naval diplomacy in maintaining regional stability.