Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

Anthony Albanese has finally got a meeting with a president, but it's not the one some are so desperate to see. The Prime Minister sets off on a six-day official visit to China while there is still no date set for a face-to-face with Donald Trump. But does that actually matter, and what does President Xi want from Australia? Guest: Dr Joseph Torigian, research fellow at Stanford University Hoover History Lab, associate professor at American University. Author of The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping Recommendations: Geraldine: John Curtin remains our greatest PM, 80 years after his death, with a living legacy [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/john-curtin-remains-our-greatest-pm-80-years-after-his-death-with-a-living-legacy/news-story/e7fa37c5023ae884ee61515fe407100f], The Australian Hamish: Louis Theroux: The Settlers [https://iview.abc.net.au/show/louis-theroux-the-settlers], ABC iView Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au [Global.Roaming@your.abc.net.au]

It's sometimes described as a 'dance with the devil', but can populism also deliver for citizens? As some democracies stall, how are populist leaders like Giorgia Meloni and Javier Millei managing to solve decades-long problems? Is there such a thing as 'good' populism? Guest: Professor Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow at Stanford University, author of Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency Recommendations: Geraldine: 'The Zelenskyy Story' [https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/the-zelensky-story], SBS On Demand Hamish: 'When Does Populism Become a Threat to Democracy?' [https://diamond-democracy.stanford.edu/speaking/speeches/when-does-populism-become-threat-democracy], speech by Larry Diamond Larry: Chip War, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_rJX-OUzEw] by Chris Miller Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au [Global.Roaming@your.abc.net.au]

After promising his MAGA base that he wouldn't get the US into any further foreign entanglements, Donald Trump had a big week on the international stage. He's claiming the strikes on Iran, and the defence spending pledges at NATO as big successes, but can he square them with his promise of 'America First'? Guest: Carl Bildt, Prime Minister of Sweden 1991-1994, foreign minister 2006-2014, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations Recommendations: Geraldine: 'This is the ‘beginning of the end’ for Iran’s supreme leader. But what comes next?', Roland Oliphant in AFR 'If This Mideast War Is Over, Get Ready for Some Interesting Politics', Tom Friedman in the New York Times Hamish: James, by Percival Everett Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au [Global.Roaming@your.abc.net.au]

After decades of enjoying peacetime dividends and American protection, Germany is now re-arming in a hurry.  Troop numbers in the Bundeswehr had withered since the 1990s and spending dipped well below 2%.  But with bellicose Russia on Europe’s borders and US support no longer a guarantee, that's all changing.  The real question is: are Germans ready to be a military power once again? Guest: Dr Benedikt Franke, CEO of the Munich Security Conference Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au [Global.Roaming@your.abc.net.au]

From the volatile fault lines of the Middle East, a dangerous new chapter has unfolded as the confrontation between Israel and Iran up-ends the region's delicate balance.  The big question is whether the US will enter the fray to assist their ally Israel.  Donald Trump has set a two-week deadline on that crucial decision, will he risk dividing his MAGA base? And will he heed the history of US foreign entanglements?  The world waits with baited breath to find out.  Guest: Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times United Nations bureau chief and Iran specialist Recommendations: Geraldine: 'Will the U.S join Israel's war with Iran' [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/podcasts/the-daily/trump-irael-war-iran.html], The Daily podcast from the New York Times Nick: The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir [https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Griffin-Dunne-Friday-Afternoon-Club-9781804710548] by Griffin Dunne Plus: Our bonus interview [https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/global-roaming/is-irans-regime-about-to-fall/105432410] with Dr Afshon Ostovar on the question of regime change in Iran Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at global.roaming@abc.net.au [Global.Roaming@your.abc.net.au]