Saturday Extra - Full program podcast
Smart analysis, lively conversations, and great company. Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Episodes
Can economic D-Day end the war with Iran?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
The 'power shift' underway in Asia
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Five years after the Taliban takeover
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Richard Flanagan on heresies and hope
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Plan for Hamas to disarm
A breakthrough deal for Hamas to hand over its weapons and for Israel to pullout of Gaza - Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Middle East program explains the agreement.
Why the Iran war hasn't caused a global economic crisis (yet)
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Andy Burnham gets ready to lead the UK
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Fairness and Viking joy at the World Cup
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Power and popularity: Narendra Modi's Australian visit
The early morning heartbreak for Australia and that penalty shoot-out in Dallas where the Egyptians came out on top. A conversation with one of India's leading historians, Ramachandra Guha, on the power and popularity of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who visits Australia this week. And as America prepares to mark Independence Day — the 4th of July, we criss-cross the countr
Is Andy Burnham ready for the UK's top job?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
UK PM under pressure from Labour MPs
The likely leadership challenge in the UK. America at 250: What is the significance of Independence Day for Indigenous Americans? The latest on the Iran US negotiations.Pauline Hanson's speech at the National Press Club in Canberra and her hostile relationship with the media.And heartbreak for the Socceroos: what went wrong?
Ken Burns on the lessons of America's violent past
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
A diplomatic win for Australia in the Pacific?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Trump considers tentative US-Iran deal
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Landmark new home in the NT offers hope for remote Aboriginal communities
The power politics of the summit between Presidents Xi and Putin — how did it compare to Trump's visit?
The symbolism and substance of the Trump Xi summit
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
As Reform UK surges in local council elections, will Farrer elect One Nation?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Anthony Albanese on navigating global and political turbulence
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
The US and Iran continue their 'diplomatic dance'
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
US and Iran show signs of compromise
The latest on the Middle East and the clearest sign yet of a breakthrough between Washington and Tehran - David Rennie, the Geopolitics Editor at The Economist, and Professor David Kilcullen, one of Australia's leading military thinkers, unpack the overnight announcements and meetings.Author and journalist Katherine Stewart looks at the feud between Donald Trump and Pope Leo, a
Iran-US peace talks face steep obstacles
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
What did the Gulf states make of Trump's prime time address?
As a search and rescue mission is underway for a crew member from a US fighter jet that was downed in southern Iran, Gregg Carlstrom, the Middle East Correspondent for The Economist, joins Saturday Extra with the latest news from the region.To the stars and the Artemis moon mission with Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.David McCloskey,
What would it take to end the Iran war?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Thousands more US Marines head to Middle East as conflict escalates
The Pentagon is sending more US Marines to the Middle East as the war with Iran escalates and widens - Professor Robert Pape explains how the US is falling into an "escalation trap".Economist Stephen Koukoulas on how the oil shock is hitting the Australian economy and whether the government may use the crisis to bring forward economic reform.Andrew Day from The American Conserv
Who's winning the war in the Middle East?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Trump demands Iran's 'unconditional surrender'
Yalda Hakim joins Nick Bryant from Qatar, as Iran continues strikes against Gulf states. Ed Luce, from the Financial Times discusses how Donald Trump has moved from a "peacemaker" to the pursuit of Iranian regime change.The discovery of a possum and a glider in the forests of West Papua that were thought to be extinct with Professor Tim Flannery. Magda Szubanski reflects on the
How can we stop political violence in Australia?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Major setback for Trump as tariffs ruled illegal
Australian economist Justin Wolfers reacts to the bombshell US Supreme Court ruling which deemed Donald Trump's tariffs illegal. Cricketing legend Greg Chappell discusses the imprisonment of former rival-turned-mate Imran Khan.BBC News royal correspondent Jonny Dymond unpacks the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The New York Times' Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks about her powerfu
Are we entering a 'new era in geopolitics'?
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Trump faces fury after racist post
Katty Kay from The Rest is Politics US dissects the latest in US politics including the reaction to a now deleted racist post of the Obamas. Plus, the Epstein files political fallout in the UK with Jon Sopel from The News Agents.How is the Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia being reported in Israel?And former National Party leader John Anderson on the surge in On
Will Iran make a deal rather than face US military action?
The latest on Iran from BBC Persian's Bahman Kalbasi as Tehran faces the threat of US military action in response to the killing of peaceful demonstrators and mass executions.The downfall of China's top military general Zhang Youxia as Xi Jinping escalates his purge of the People's Liberation Army elite with Richard McGregor from the Lowy Institute.Plus, is the Trump administrati
Mark Carney's powerful speech for middle powers to unite
Charles Kupchan and Malcolm Turnbull assess the week of diplomacy at Davos in Switzerland this week, the implications of Trump's America first approach and the remarkable speech made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who described the end of the era underpinned by United States.Plus Niki Savva on the "inevitable" split of the Coalition and the future of Sussan Ley's leaders
Saturday Extra: Books and authors
On Saturday Extra's final show of the summer break: Our best conversations with authors of notable books. CNN's Jake Tapper on one of the most fateful decisions in American history - Joe Biden's decision to run for re-election despite evidence of his decline; actor Griffin Dunne on coming of age in a family of larger-than-life characters in Hollywood; and historian Sophia Rosenf
Saturday Extra Summer: History
From the Colossus of Rhodes to the hanging gardens of Babylon, we visit the seven wonders of the ancient world with author and historian Bettany Hughes; and from jewels to jumbo jets, a history of diplomatic gift giving; journalist Ed Wong on how travelling China with his father taught him that his family story is deeply entwined with China's rising power; 50 years of Papua New G
Saturday Extra Summer: Global figures
On the show: Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, Lord Norman Foster who was awarded the Pritzker prize for architecture , and Irish novelist Colum McCann who won the National Book Award in America.
Saturday Extra Summer: 2025 in Review
What shaped the world in 2025?We revisit the heartbreaking conflicts and the peacemaking.From the powerful influence of the Trump presidency to the Australia federal election, the big beautiful bill to Beijing's rising power, we take stock of pivotal developments with the world's best analysts. Highlights from our most insightful conversations with some of the world's biggest thi
Saturday Extra Summer: Suzie Miller, David Wenham and Richard Tognetti
Welcome to Summer on Saturday Extra where you'll hear some of our best conversations of 2025. This week - Australian arts and culture. A conversation with the playwright Suzie Miller about her blockbuster play, Inter Alia; David Wenham brings back the much loved character Jonny Spitteri for the sequel to the 2003 cult film Gettin' Square. Music from the Australian Chamber Orchest
Geraldine Brooks on love, loss and helping write Kamala Harris' memoir
One of Australia’s most celebrated authors, Geraldine Brooks on how she came to write a book with the Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris; the deep schism between Europe and the US over the National Security Strategy and how to end the war in Ukraine; the BBC Chief North America Correspondent -Gary O’Donoghue, or BlindGazza as he calls himself on social media, takes
Updated US national security strategy and Governor-General Sam Mostyn on her role in polarised times
An updated US National Security Strategy pledges “lethal force” against drug cartels as the US continues a massive military presence off Venezuela - Phil Gunson from the International Crisis Group analyses the situation from Caracas; a candid conversation with Governor-General Sam Mostyn about her role and the "goodness" in Australia that can be masked by media and polarising voi
A violent Thanksgiving in the US and David Frum on the era of Donald Trump
A chat with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook from chart-topping The Rest is History podcast; the year of Donald Trump with the author and journalist David Frum from The Atlantic magazine; a deep dive into the 2025 Australian Election study, and after European leaders were blindsided by President Trump’s 28-point-plan to end the Ukraine war - where do peace talks now stand?
Trump gives Kyiv deadline to accept Russia backed peace plan
Constanze Stelzenmüller on Ukraine's ‘difficult choice’ over a US peace plan that's backed by Russia; the G20 in South Africa - Sherwin Bryce-Peace from SABC News takes us through the key issues in Johannesberg; how China is run as an engineering state that excels at construction while the US has become a lawyerly society that favours obstruction with author Dan Wang; Hanan Elatr
Trump faces rare pressure from MAGA base over Epstein files
On the show: The BBC apology to Trump over Panorama edit with former head of BBC executive Roger Mosey; Tara Setmayer, former GOP communications director on calls to release all Epstein files as President Trump faces rare pressure from the MAGA base; at 90 years of age, the UK architect Lord Norman Foster reflects on his childhood and designs that have led him to world acclaim;,
COP30 Climate Talks in Brazil
After another year of record heat and extreme weather, Nicholas Rowley unpacks what the UN climate talks might achieve. Annabel Crabb on her new ABC TV series Civic Duty; Michelle Grattan takes us back 50 years to the drama of the political crisis of the dismissal. An update on Australia's high speed rail plans between Newcastle and Sydney with rail expert Buddhima Indraratna; th
The exile and punishment of Prince Andrew over Epstein ties
On the show: Journalist Emily Maitlis on Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's ties to the convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. Zohran Mamdani's blistering campaign to become the next mayor New York with Katy Honan, from The City newsroomThe trade truce between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The US president described it as amazing. The story of Australia, as told by one of the countr
Donald Trump heads to Asia
Donald Trump is about to embark on a week-long trip through Asia to attend ASEAN and APEC. He'll meet the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and there's also an anticipated meeting between the US President and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea. Unpack what's ahead with Demetri Sevastopulo, the US-China Correspondent for The Financial Times and Susannah Patton from
What’s at stake in the Albanese Trump meeting?
One the show: The significant week in Middle East politics with the BBC's Tom Bateman who was part White House press corps travelling on Air Force One to Israel. Foreign affairs journalist, Elise Labott also unpacks the week including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to discuss whether the US will arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russ
After the peace plan, what will the future of Palestine and Israel look like?
On the show: Palestinian aid worker in Gaza City, Hanya Al Jamal, and Israeli journalist, Amir Tibon, on public reactions to the ceasefire. Ghaith Al-Omari, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, analyses what the future of Palestine will look like now the war has ended. We also look at the Gen Z protests sweeping the globe from Indonesia to Morocco, calling out inequality
Hamas agrees to release Gaza hostages and Trump tells Israel to stop bombing
On the show: Palestinian analyst Khalil Sayegh on Hamas announcement that it has accepted some elements of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, but that it will seek negotiations over other terms. Hope for the families of Israeli hostages and for peace in the region with Efrat Machikawa, whose uncle was held hostage in Gaza. A new documentary celebrates the mu
Mass UN walkout during speech by Benjamin Netanyahu
James Lindsay from the Council on Foreign Relations and the ABC's Laura Tingle wrap up the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Virginia Hausegger's history of feminist activism in Australia. Accounting academics dispute the extent of financial crisis at the University of Technology Sydney, Jennifer Byrne shares some of her favourite books for the Top 100 Books of the 21st Ce
Expectations of Albanese-Trump meeting
Anthony Albanese is about to embark on a trip to the United States, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. After a series of diplomatic disappointments in the Pacific, Arthur Sinodinos discusses how important a meeting with Donald Trump will be. Jon Sopel from the News Agents podcast catches up with Nick to talk UK and US politics. Amanda Cahill explores how regional Australia
Is America trapped in cycle of political violece?
Over the past year, the US has seen political assassination attempts and murders - the latest being Charlie Kirk, a leading, young conservative activist. Nick Bryant delves into the history of American political violence with historian Jeremi Suri from University of Texas at Austin. Also, filmmaker Max Uechtritz's new documentary PNG The Road to Independence screens on ABC TV thi
The US Department of War and China's revisionist history
Harvard historian Rana Mitter, on China’s war experience and the parade in Beijing this week. One of America’s most seasoned diplomats, Nicholas Burns gives his perspective on the parade and President Trump's order to rebrand the Department of Defense to the Department of War. Big picture thinking to tackle the problem of invasive species in Australia with Jack Gough, from the In
Maria Ressa: the Nobel Peace Prize laureate on democracy, facts and truth
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Famine declared in Gaza and US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell bites back at President Trump
Hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin gives a fascinating insight into his conversations with Hamas negotiators as a UN-backed group declares famine in part of Gaza, and Israel prepares to send troops to occupy Gaza City. Plus, Allegra Spender and Innes Willox on what we should take away from this week's Economic Reform roundtable, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO Rose Gottemo
Uncovering Trump's backchannel to Putin
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Trump to meet Putin in Alaska to broker Russia Ukraine peace deal
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Is Donald Trump winning his trade war?
Analysis of President Trump’s move impose worldwide tariffs; calls for the Federal Government to to scrap the "Job ready" university fee system, with the barrister and former broadcaster Steve Vizard; and the BBC's International Editor Jeremy Bowen on the latest in the Middle East.
The truth behind Joe Biden's decline: Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
Two of America's top journalists break down one of the most fateful decisions in American political history: Joe Biden’s run for re-election despite evidence of his serious decline. Plus, week one of the 48th parliament and a former French spy who turned his secret life into bestselling spy thrillers.
Pentagon officials pull out of top security conference because event promotes “the evil of globalism"
Michael Fullilove joins Saturday Extra from the Aspen Security Forum which for decades has been a bipartisan event. Also on the show: Profound shifts in migration polices as Germany and EU allies meet to discuss migration crackdowns and repatriations of asylum seekers; Donald Trump is due back in Scotland later this month for a private visit to his golf course on the east coast,
How seriously should we take Elon Musk's America Party?
Plus, we get an update on the Texas flood recovery, find out what we can expect from the Prime Minister's visit to China and ask whether the future of Australian philanthropy lies with our tech entrepreneurs.
Trump's big beautiful bill signed into law
President Trump has signed his big beautiful bill into law at a White House 4th of July celebration. Plus, analysis from the ABC's John Lyons on Hamas' response to ceasefire negotiations. Also on the show, after 148 years, Wimbledon replaces line judges with AI.
Trump lashes out at Iranian supreme leader and abandons plans to roll back sanctions
Plus, a mid-year review of global events; the ethics and pitfalls of addictive true crime podcasts, and Winnie Dunn, the 29 year old Tongan-Australian author shortlisted for the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award for her novel, Dirt Poor Islanders.
Iranian talks with European officials fail as Israel warns of a long war
BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet with an update from Geneva on talks between the Iranian Foreign Minister and European officials. Plus, in the week that Anthony Albanese didn't get his meeting with Donald Trump in Canada, historian James Curran explores the history of relationships between Aussie prime ministers and American presidents.
US protests and a military parade on Trump's birthday
After US Marines were mobilised against protesters on the streets of LA, President Trump is preparing for military fanfare in Washington. Is the new administration tapping into a tradition of authoritarianism?Iran retaliates against Israel; and one of India's best chefs meets Tassie's finest produce for Dark MOFO's Winter Feast.
Trump-Musk billionaire bromance comes to an end
Will Elon Musk and Donald Trump kiss and make up after the billionaire bromance blew up so spectacularly this week? Plus, the future of warfare in the wake of those Ukrainian attacks on Russia, and why Australia marks the King's Birthday with a holiday (something that doesn't even happen in Britain).
How Apple made China a global tech power
The consequences of attacks on Harvard for Australia with Professor Brian Schmidt; the latest from Asia's annual security summit, the Shangri-la La Dialogue, and artist Leila Jeffreys, on The Last Thing.
A Family's Reckoning with China; Libs and Nats on path to reunite
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Thomas Friedman: What's Trump's global agenda?
Nick Bryant and prominent New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman try to make sense of President Trump's motivations when it comes to foreign policy. Plus, historians Judith Brett and Frank Bongiorno discuss the trajectory of Australian politics now that the Liberal Party has its first female leader and the Albanese government has a female-majority cabinet. And, we get an update
Ehud Olmert's peace plan at Jerusalem Peace Summit
Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.
Australia Votes: Election Day 2025
Nick Bryant head to the marginal seat of Bennelong in Sydney and does a health check on the state of Australian democracy with the ANU's Dr Jill Sheppard and Iain Walker from NewDemocracy Foundation.Plus, Australia's theatre community is buzzing after the Broadway production of The Picture of Dorian Gray received 6 Tony Award nominations, and political commentator and author Pete
The legacy of Pope Francis in Papua New Guinea
Geraldine Doogue is in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, plus a nun in Papua New Guinea remembers his impact on her life.
Harvard v. Trump and Irish author Colum McCann
The showdown between America's elite university and the Trump administration has begun... who will come out on top? Join Nick as well for an emotional interview with the widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi and extended discussion with Irish author Colum McCann about our reliance on undersea cables.Plus, how might Indian and Chinese Australian voters shift the outcome of
Trade war deepens as China raises tariffs
Understand the world with Barbara Miller.
Market turmoil in the new protectionist age
Economist Warwick McKibbin on how Trump's tariffs are up-ending the foundations of modern trade, and inflicting maximum damage on the global and US economies. A rare look inside Myanmar after the quake and a new film about the Australian war correspondent Peter Greste's imprisonment in Egypt in 2013.
Major earthquake hits Myanmar
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, in a country already torn by war. The quake was felt across Southeast Asia, and there are warnings there could be tens of thousands dead.
Why conservatives think Trump is doing a great job
Just nine weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump is certainly shaking things up. Prominent conservative commentator Scott Jennings explains why MAGA supporters are happy with the changes. Plus, we discuss what to expect from next week's pre-election budget and get the latest news from Kyiv, where things seem to be getting worse despite all the talk of a peace deal.
New Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will never be part of US
International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.
A "framework" for peace to try to end the Russia-Ukraine war
Also on the show, Richard Tognetti reflects on the Australian Chamber Orchestra turning 50 and Britain’s High Commissioner to Australia Vicki Treadell heads home after long diplomatic stint.
Trump-Zelenskyy meeting implodes, threatening peace talks
The latest from Washington after tense meeting in the White House.Plus, the view from Moscow with the BBC's Steven Rosenberg and why are spy thrillers dominating the airwaves?
Why the AfD has support in Germany's west
Gideon Rachman on why American culture wars, international security and European politics can no longer be disentangled.Plus, David Wenham brings the lovable, small-time criminal Johnny Spiteri back to the screen. Spit's still got the mullet and the thongs, but there’s a whole new story.
