Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East was three days of glitz, gold and billion-dollar deals. The big surprise was a meeting with Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Does this signal an intent to reshape the region and some of its enduring conflicts? And does the decision not to visit Israel signal a cooling relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu?Recommendations:Kylie: Jerusalem the biography by Simon Sebag Montefiori Hamish: Donald Trump seeks bromance and billions as he heads to Gulf, FTGET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

The Australian Signals Directorate is one of Australia's most secretive agencies, responsible for decoding enemy messages, protecting us from cyber threats and collaborating with allied intelligence services. Rachel Noble knows how the machine works, as the former head of ASD she helped shape Australia's role in the Five Eyes alliance. Now, with Trump's return and Signal-gate leaks, can Australia still trust its closest ally?Guest: Rachel Noble, former Director-General of Australia Signals Directorate Recommendations:Geraldine:  The Crisis of our Time by Christopher ClarkHamish: East West Street by Philippe SandsGET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

As the world awaits the sitting of the conclave and the appointment of a new Pope, Geraldine sits down with the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher in the Apostolic Palace.Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

The Australian election campaign was rocked by allegations that Moscow had requested access to an Indonesian air base for use by long-range Russian military planes.Russia and Indonesia have a long and deep history of cooperation and trade going back to Indonesian independence, which appears to be strengthening under President Prabowo Subianto. Does Australia have reason to be concerned?Guest: Dr Marty Natalegawa, former Foreign Minister of IndonesiaGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

There are two states that have the most to gain, and the most to lose, when it comes to AUKUS: South Australia and Western Australia. In the final episode of AUKUS Investigated Hamish and Geraldine speak to South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas about why he thinks the rest of the country needs to come to the AUKUS party. NOTE: This podcast was first released on 20 December 2024.GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

A great re-balancing is underway from the Western world to a much more diverse future.As developing nations rise up with greater wealth, military power, demographic heft and cultural influence, will Western nations give up their privileged positions willingly?Guest: Dr Samir Puri, author of Westlessness: The great global rebalancing; Director, Global Governance and Security Centre at Chatham House; former UK diplomat Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

AUKUS doesn't only affect us. From the time that it was announced there were mixed reactions from our neighbours - some who wanted in, and some who thought it unwise and provocative. A big part of the fear - both regionally and within Australia - concerns the nuclear question. As the first non-nuclear country to ever acquire a conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine, can we be confident of our own safety? And what happens to the waste that will remain dangerous for generations of Australians to come? NOTE: This podcast was first released on 20 December 2024.GUESTS:Gareth Evans - former Australian Foreign Minister (1988 –1996).Maria Rost Rublee - Associate Professor of International Relations at Monash University, with expertise in international security and nuclear politics.Dr Evan Laksmana - Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia Military Modernisation at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).GET IN TOUCH: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

The death of Pope Francis closes the door on a papacy that was focused on the plight of migrants and other vulnerable groups. In this emergency episode, what was the Pontiff's contribution to global politics and who might come after him?Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Election day is looming at a time when events beyond our borders are shaping the debate as much as the politicians are. The major parties have avoided discussion of foreign policy, despite the need for new policies and partnerships for this uncertain time. With no scheduled debate on foreign policy, we discuss some of the key questions confronting the nation with:Tim Watts, the Assistant Minister for Foreign AffairsSenator Dave Sharma Independent MP Zoe DanielGet in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au

Palau is a tiny Pacific nation located in one of the hottest geo-strategic areas on Earth. They are highly dependent on the US for finance and defence but subject to Chinese pressure to revoke their formal recognition of Taiwan. Despite these challenges, Palau's greatest concern is actually the threat of climate change making parts of their country uninhabitable.Guest: President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr. Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au