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Emma Shortis

Research Fellow, RMIT University
I’m a historian and writer focused on the history and politics of the United States. I use my expertise in history to interpret and explain what is happening in America today, and what it means for Australia, in a compassionate and accessible way. In a conversation dominated by the same voices, I offer a fresh perspective on the United States grounded in moral questions about how we might imagine a post-American future.

My first book, Our Exceptional Friend: Australia’s Fatal Alliance with the United States, was published by Hardie Grant in August 2021. I also co-host RMIT’s popular history podcast, Barely Gettin’ By, with my friend Dr Chloe Ward.

I’m a regular guest on ABC radio and television and programs like Triple RRR’s Uncommon Sense. I’ve appeared on ABC’s The Drum, Channel 9’s Today Show, and ABC podcasts like Russia, If You’re Listening and The Signal. I write regularly for popular outlets including ABC News Online and the Sydney Morning Herald. In 2020, I was named RMIT’s Media Commentator of the year.

I’m currently a Research Fellow at RMIT. Before that, I spent a year in the United States as the Fox-Zucker International Fellow at Yale University, where I finished writing my PhD in History. My academic research focuses on the history of global climate policy and global environmental governance, and the role of the United States in the world.

In a largely uneventful and inconsequential US vice presidential debate, no one can claim victory

Oct 03, 2024 00:04 am UTC| Politics

Just like vice presidents themselves, in US politics, debates dont really matter until they do. The most recent debate (and likely the last of the 2024 election cycle) between aspiring vice presidents Senator JD Vance and...

Are you ready for it? What a Taylor Swift endorsement means for Kamala Harris

Sep 16, 2024 06:04 am UTC| Insights & Views Entertainment

As the US Presidential debate wrapped up on Wednesday, commentators and journalists regrouped and drew breath. But then, enter Taylor Swift. The pop superstar posted her endorsement of the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz...

Is America ready to elect a Black woman president?

Sep 09, 2024 08:16 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Its the big question that has loomed over Kamala Harris presidential campaign from the start: is the United States ready for a Black woman president? I get asked this almost every time I speak about American politics....

Global Geopolitics Series

How will US foreign policy affect Joe Biden’s chances of re-election in November?

Apr 22, 2024 03:28 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

When big questions about American foreign policy collide with an election, its rarely good news for a sitting president. Like many leaders before him, US President Joe Biden has had some of these questions thrust on...

US Election Series

Who will Trump pick as his running mate?

Apr 01, 2024 03:45 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Being second in line for leadership of the most powerful country in the world is not an easy job. But for Mike Pence, vice president under Donald Trump, things were even harder than usual. As insurrectionists descended...

Some truths are self-evident: Joe Biden is too old. But who could possibly replace him?

Feb 21, 2024 10:57 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

It is possible, in politics as in life, for several things to be true at once. It is true that Donald Trump and his plans for a second presidential administration represent an existential threat to American...

US under Trump Series

Donald Trump faces half a billion dollars of debt and several court cases. But that may not stop him from becoming president again

Feb 20, 2024 11:13 am UTC| Politics

The verdicts keep coming. On Friday US time, the three-month hearing focused on Donald Trumps business dealings in New York came to an end. Trump was ordered to pay back more than $US350 million (A$537 million), plus...

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Economy

UK Economy Posts Surprise June Growth as World Cup and Hot Weather Lift Activity

Britains economy recorded stronger-than-expected growth in June 2026, supported by easing concerns over the Iran war, the mens soccer World Cup and hot weather, according to official figures released Thursday. UK gross...

US Dollar Holds Firm as Fed Outlook and Iran Tensions Keep Markets on Edge

The U.S. dollar remained steady on Thursday as investors assessed the Federal Reserves interest rate outlook following U.S. inflation data that matched expectations. Meanwhile, elevated oil prices and renewed U.S.-Iran...

European Stocks Rise as U.S. Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears

European stocks moved higher on Thursday as investors welcomed an in-line U.S. inflation report that reduced expectations for another Federal Reserve interest rate hike in September. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 Index...

Japan Government Backs Earlier BOJ Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Build

Japans government is reportedly supportive of an earlier interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ), with policymakers potentially moving as soon as September or October as inflationary pressures intensify. Bloomberg...

Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm After U.S. Inflation Data

Most Asian currencies traded in a narrow range on Thursday as investors assessed the Federal Reserves interest rate outlook following U.S. inflation data that largely matched market expectations. The U.S. Dollar Index was...

Politics

Iran Eyes New Development Bank Membership as BRICS Pushes Local Currency Trade

Iran is expected to join the New Development Bank (NDB), the multilateral lender established by BRICS nations, as Tehran seeks stronger financial ties with emerging economies and alternative channels outside the U.S....

Nigel Farage Faces Count Binface in Clacton Election Test

Voters in Clacton headed to the polls on Thursday in an unusual local English election that pits Reform UK leader Nigel Farage against more than 30 challengers, including comedian Count Binface. The election comes after...

Putin Visits Japan-Claimed Iturup Island, Drawing Strong Protest From Tokyo

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, a disputed island claimed by Japan, on Thursday, prompting a strong protest from Tokyo as tensions remain elevated across Northeast Asia. Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan,...

Meloni Loses Ground Among Young Italian Voters Ahead of 2027 Election

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is losing support among young voters, potentially creating a major challenge for her right-wing coalition ahead of Italys 2027 national election. Polling by Youtrend shows Melonis...

US, Colombia Weigh Joint Strikes on Armed Groups in Expanded Anti-Drug Campaign

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has raised the possibility of joint U.S.-Colombia military strikes against armed groups as Washington expands its counter-narcotics campaign across Latin America. Speaking Wednesday at...

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

Google Pushes Gemini AI Overhaul as Sergey Brin Targets Model Supremacy

Google co-founder Sergey Brin has stepped up efforts to accelerate development of the companys Gemini AI models as Alphabet battles OpenAI and Anthropic for leadership in artificial intelligence. Brin has reportedly urged...

Lenovo Revenue Surges 43% as AI Demand Drives Record First-Quarter Growth

Lenovo Group reported record first-quarter revenue as booming demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure and AI-enabled devices fueled strong growth across its major businesses, pushing its Hong Kong-listed shares...

Cisco Forecasts Strong Fiscal 2027 Growth as AI Networking Demand Surges

Cisco Systems has issued a stronger-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook, fueled by rising demand for networking equipment and artificial intelligence infrastructure from hyperscale customers. The networking technology giant...

Super Micro Stock Jumps 19% as AI Server Demand Drives Strong 2027 Outlook

Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ: SMCI) shares surged about 19% on Wednesday after the AI server maker issued fiscal 2027 guidance that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations, easing concerns following its softer...

SpaceX Shares Surge as Wall Street Backs AI Growth Potential

SpaceX shares jumped 11% after Morgan Stanley highlighted the companys growing artificial intelligence business, fueling investor optimism around its expanding enterprise software strategy and upcoming Grok 4.7 AI model....