Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war?

After America

It’s never about regime change (until it is).

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss Trump’s decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites, the comparisons with America’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, and what this decision could mean for Australia.

This discussion was recorded on Monday 23 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

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Join Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Richard Denniss in conversation about After America: Australia and the new world order at the University of Melbourne at 6pm AEST, Wednesday 16 July.

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Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Angus Blackman, Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

As the US chooses destruction over diplomacy in Iran, Australia has to decide between principle and prostration by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions

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Chapters

1. Why did Trump join the Israel-Iran war? (00:00:00)

2. The US joins the Israel-Iran war (00:02:08)

3. Is the US attack legal? (00:04:37)

4. Iran's response & where to now? (00:11:54)

5. Trump is not anti-war (00:18:53)

6. The Democrats' response (00:23:45)

7. Europe's response (00:27:13)

8. What this means for Australia (00:28:59)