Saturday Extra - Full program podcast

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 country, from Donald Trump's Great American State Fair to the town of Normal in Illinois, to an attempt at getting Dolly Parton on the show.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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?

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

The power politics of the summit between Presidents Xi and Putin — how did it compare to Trump's visit?

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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, and whether it points to something bigger: The fraying of MAGA? Jill Sheppard joins the show to discuss a new book, Landslide: The 2025 Federal Election. Australian journalist Cheng Lei talks about recreating her three years in Chinese detention as a live stage show at Melbourne Arts House.  And nearly 200 people, including renowned Australian artist Lucy Culliton are painting outside this weekend as part of the first ever Art Prize in the country town of Bombala.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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, the co-host of podcast THE REST IS CLASSIFIED takes us into the world of his fourth novel, The Persian. The Queensland outback town of Winton becomes an official Dark Sky Place making it one of the best places on earth to star gaze. Eurovision is expanding into Asia, and the power of Bach's St John Passion this Easter weekend.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 Conservative, on how the decision to go to war is dividing President Trump's MAGA support base.  How weight loss drugs are changing the world and might they become available to adolescents? Plus the ABC's Annabel Crabb on the South Australian election.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 life of Ted Emery, a much loved comedy director who died this week who was behind many Australian hit shows, such as Kath and Kim. Plus, Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr - the world's longest-serving television news anchor duo from Perth in Western Australia.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 powerful interview with Gisele Pelicot, the French rape survivor.  And what is Chinamaxxing? Writer Zara Wong explains.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 One Nation support.

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 administration  de-escalating controversial deportation tactics in Minnesota?

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 leadership of the Liberal Party.

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 Rosenfeld on the history of how choice became synonymous with freedom and self expression.

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 Guinean independence. Plus two new takes on Australian history with Professor Mark McKenna and Annabel Crabb.

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.

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 thinkers: Thomas Friedman of The New York Times, Anne Applebaum from The Atlantic, David Rennie from The Economist, among other greats.

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 Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra; and nature photographer Leila Jeffreys reveals how she captures intimate portraits of birds.

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 us behind the scenes of his exclusive interview with President Trump and his coverage of Trump's attempted assassination; and after 20 years as Chancellor of UNSW, David Gonski reflects on the challenges, criticism and brilliance of the university sector.

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 voices; a guide to the under 16 social media ban with Professor Susan Sawyer, an expert in adolescent health and medicine, and Bryce Corbett, the creator of a media literacy program for primary school kids; Sean Turnell on Myanmar's mass release of prisoners ahead of the military junta's so called elections later this month; and 18-year Tommy Lamb's global overland odyssey to reach Australia for the Ashes.

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?

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 Khashoggi, the widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi on President Trump's defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; a new era of bilateral film collaboration with filmmaker and actress Rachel Griffiths and Mitu Bhowmick Lange; and the week in federal politics with Mark Riley from 7News, and Sarah Ison from The Australian.

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;, the history of grandparenting in Australia with demographer DR Liz Allen and how to make unis more relevant for students and the public with leading academic Sophie Gee.

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; the politics of New York City and the victory of Zohran Mamdani with NYMag columnist Ross Barkan and Sophia Rosenfeld discusses her new book, The Age of Choice: A History of Freedom in Modern Life

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 newsroom The 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 country's most eminent historians, Mark McKenna Laetitia Bader from Human Rights Watch on evidence of systematic killings in the Sudanese city of el-Fasher. And the winning skills of food writer Caroline Velik at the World Porridge Making Championship in Scotland.

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 the Lowy Institute. History’s most audacious art heists with art historian Pamela James. Arctic expert Elizabeth Buchanan explains why Greenland is much more than a desolate blob at the top of a world map in her new book, So you want to own Greenland? Signs of populism and discontent in Australian democracy with two former state premiers Mike Baird and Jay Weatherill. And India's biggest pop star and fashion icon, Diljit Dosanjh, is touring Australia and has local fans desperate for tickets - find out more from fan and musician,  L-Fresh the Lion.

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 Russia. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also heads to Washington, what gift should he take along? Paul Brummel, the author of Diplomatic Gifts: A History in Fifty Presents has some gift giving stories and tips. Kate Mulvany on the new Sydney Theatre Company production of the Australian classic, The Shiralee. And Griffin Dunne on coming of age in Hollywood and the many twisting branches of a Hollywood family tree.

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 and corruption. Plus, who are Australia’s Gen Z political influencers, and what are they saying about the movements that are coalescing around them? The complications blowing out the new Snowy River Hydro scheme and botanist Professor Stephen Hopper on the ancient stories embedded in Australia's iconic Eucalyptus trees.

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 much loved restaurant M on the Bund in Shanghai, run by Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut. Might President Trump win a Nobel Peace prize? Can democracy survive AI with Peter Lewis and Lizzie O'Shea. And the death of leggings! Fashion writer Gynis Traill-Nash tries to make sense why leggings are out and baggy work-out gear is in.

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 Century and budgie smugglers are back in fashion in Europe.

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 working to meet climate targets. Richard Gowan previews the UN leaders week and we have a sing-along with Tricia Paoluccio, who plays Dolly Parton in "Here you come again", a musical about a Dolly Parton super fan.

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 this week, he joins PNG lawyer Serena Sasingian to discuss independence. And 25 years on from the Sydney Olympics, we take a walk down memory lane.

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 Invasive Species Council.  And Transylvania in a tutu - Joel Burke the director and choreographer of Dracula the ballet.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 Gottemoeller helps us make sense of what's happening with a Russia-Ukraine peace deal after a series of high-level talks, and Australia’s first female astronaut talks about what it's like to smash the galactic glass ceiling (and gives some tips for future young astronauts out there).

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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.

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.

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, but while the US President appears fond of his ancestral home, the feeling is not always reciprocated; New research promises to turn sea urchin shells into fabric dye, potentially solving an environmental problem; And meet two new politicians heading to Canberra next week for Australia’s 48th parliament.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 on the infamous mushroom trial in Victoria and the Eurovision Song Contest.

Understand Australia and the world with Nick Bryant.

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 Peter Beinart on his new book Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning.

Geraldine Doogue is in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis, plus a nun in Papua New Guinea remembers his impact on her life.

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 the federal election? We find out.

Understand the world with Barbara Miller.

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.

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.

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.

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

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.

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?

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.

Michael Fullilove joins Saturday Extra from Munich where US Vice President JD Vance has shocked delegates, accusing European governments of retreating from their values, and ignoring voter concerns on migration and free speech. And David Rennie from The Economist poses the question; could there be a 19th century style carve-up of the world between great powers? A big, beautiful Trump deal with China?

Plus, Trump's foreign aid shut down up-ends vital programs around the world as China steps in to support an aid program in the Pacific.

The President of Palau explains how the removal of explosive remnants of World War II and secure communication projects have stopped while the US reviews foreign aid spending.

Plus, the history of Australia Day and a series of dinners at the Perth Festival to share the indigenous cuisine of the West Kimberley.

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

This week's Summer Season episode includes:

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

Plus, an American president who saw himself as a saviour of democracy - Joe Biden, and legacy he leaves behind with award winning historian Jonathan Alter. And political gift buying, from Trump bibles to cat mugs with comedian Mark Humphries

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

Plus, BHP's former chief economist on what a US-China trade war means for Australia's economy

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.

International politics and business, and the things that matter to Australians.