America’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend mark a terrifying turning point.

Donald Trump has taken the US into direct conflict with Iran – and risked what the UN secretary-general is calling a “rathole of retaliation”.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth claims that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated, but questions remain about the extent of the damage, and whether the attack will only strengthen Iran’s resolve to rebuild. Moreover, Trump’s calls for regime change suggest that peace may take much longer.

Today, author of The Permanent Crisis: Iran’s Nuclear Trajectory and defence editor at The Economist Shashank Joshi, on what Iran will do next.

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Guest: Author of The Permanent Crisis: Iran’s Nuclear Trajectory and defence editor at The Economist, Shashank Joshi

Photo: Hindustan Times/Sipa USA

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Having fought his way to the top of the South Australian Liberal ticket, Alex Antic is working to reshape the party as a radical outfit more interested in ideology than governing.

The Liberal senator calls himself an irrelevant backbencher, but he’s installed allies, toppled moderates and is pushing the party’s politics to the edge.

His playbook mirrors Donald Trump’s: dominate the narrative, fight the culture wars and never aim for the centre – and moderates fear he will keep the Liberal party unelectable.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on the rise of Alex Antic and the fight for the soul of the Liberal Party.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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Ian Rankin introduced Detective John Rebus in his 1987 novel Knots and Crosses. Since then, Rankin has published another two dozen books in the series and has sold almost 40 million books to date. Unsurprisingly, he’s now Sir Ian Rankin. This week, Michael sits down with Ian at Sydney Writers’ Festival for discussion about his latest Rebus book, Midnight and Blue.

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At the G7 summit in Canada, Anthony Albanese had prepared carefully for a meeting with Donald Trump – even reaching out to Trump’s golfing buddy, Greg Norman.

But just before they were due to meet, the US president walked out of the summit and flew home to address the conflict between Israel and Iran.

In some quarters, the snub has been portrayed as a personal slight against Albanese. Whatever Trump’s reasons, it highlights just how strained Australia’s relationship with its most important ally has become.

Today, columnist to The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno, on the fallout from the failed meeting – and what it reveals about power, sovereignty and AUKUS.

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Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

Photo: The White House

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Medicine in Australia could soon become more expensive and harder to come by.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – the safety net that keeps our prescriptions cheap – has been drawn into Donald Trump’s trade war, after the US president signed an order saying the United States should not pay more for medicines than its peer countries.

Drug companies have now paused new PBS listings and warn some treatments may never reach Australian patients.

Today, special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis, on how one decision in Washington could force Australians to pay more for vital drugs – and whether Canberra has the leverage to stop it.

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Guest: Special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis.

Photo: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

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Abortion was fully decriminalised across Australia in 2023, meaning people can end a pregnancy without fear of prosecution.

But that hasn’t stopped abortion being weaponised against women in the courtroom.

Writer and producer Madison Griffiths, who has spent a decade covering reproductive rights, was shocked to learn that abortion records were surfacing in custody battles in the family court, and even sexual abuse trials.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper, Madison Griffiths, on the right to choose – and how the law is struggling to keep up with this new form of domestic abuse.

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Guest: Writer, artist and producer Madison Griffiths.

Photo: April Fonti/AAP

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On Friday, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, sending roughly 200 fighter jets to hit more than a hundred sites across Iran – including parts of its nuclear program.

Israel says the attack was “pre-emptive”, meant to address an immediate and inevitable threat on Iran’s part to construct a nuclear bomb.

As attacks from both countries continue, scheduled talks between Iran and the US over the future of Iran’s nuclear program have been cancelled.

Today, Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom, on why Israel chose this moment to strike, how it’s angling for regime change in Iran and what it will take to de-escalate the conflict.

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Guest: Middle East correspondent for The Economist, Gregg Carlstrom.

Photo: AP Photo/Leo Correa

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A quiet transformation is underway at Australian universities. Behind closed doors, powerful consulting firms are helping to reshape higher education; cutting courses, centralising power, and outsourcing staff. 

One firm in particular, Nous Group, is now embedded in some of the country’s most prestigious institutions. At the Australian National University, its role in a $250 million restructure has been concealed, even from parliament, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability. 

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton, on how consultants gained control of the university sector, and what it could mean for the future of higher education.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

Photo: University of Sydney

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On the surface, Kaliane Bradley’s debut is a time-travel novel — it’s speculative fiction meets romance and espionage. But underneath? It's a sharp, satirical exploration of institutional control — of what happens when government red tape meets the impossible. On this episode of Read This, Michael sits down for a conversation with Kaliane Bradley to discuss her bestselling book The Ministry of Time. (edited) 

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As Anthony Albanese heads to the G7 summit, the future of Australia’s most important defence pact is suddenly uncertain. 

The Trump administration is reviewing AUKUS, pushing for more military spending, and condemning Australia’s new sanctions on Israeli ministers – all signs of a once stable alliance under pressure. 

Today, press gallery journalist and columnist for Inside Story, Karen Middleton, on what’s testing the US–Australia relationship, and whether a meeting on neutral ground can strengthen the longstanding alliance.

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Guest: Press gallery journalist and columnist for Inside Story, Karen Middleton.

Photo: Bianca De Marchi

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Elon Musk and Donald Trump were once political partners – sharing praise, power and ice-cream parties. Now the pair have been trading insults on their own social media networks.

In what started with Musk’s opposition to the president’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”, that proposes extensive tax cuts, the feud has sparked threats that could ground NASA missions and blow holes in the US federal budget.

Today, tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early, on the break-up and the dangers of handing critical services to a single billionaire.

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Guest: Tech and power reporter for The Guardian, Nick Robins-Early.

Photo: EPA / Will Oliver

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