The Signal

Almost two weeks into the war in Iran, Donald Trump's endgame remains elusive.He insists the US has won already, even as the bombs fall and Iran's drones cause havoc in the region.Did the US president misjudge how a war with Iran would play out and how significant the ripple effects would be across the world?Today, staff writer at the Atlantic magazine Tom Nichols on why the Trump administration is 'strategically incompetent' and why he thinks the president is suffering from 'victory disease'.Featured:Tom Nichols, The Atlantic magazine staff writer

Artificial intelligence is playing a key role in the war in Iran, with AI tools suspected of being used to gather intelligence, pick targets and plan bombings.At the same time, a battle has broken out between the Trump administration and one of the leading AI firms, Anthropic, over what limits should be placed on the use of AI by the military. Today, Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales on why guardrails are crucial to avoid a nightmare future of AI fuelled warfare. Featured: Toby Walsh, UNSW AI Institute chief scientist 

They stood on a field in the Gold Coast and bravely refused to sing their national anthem and they were condemned as traitors on Iranian state TV. A week later, members of the Iranian women's soccer team who competed in the Women's Asian Cup have been offered asylum in Australia.Today, lawyer and sport integrity expert Catherine Ordway on how it all unfolded. Featured: Catherine Ordway, sport integrity expert and a visiting scholar at the University of NSW School of Business based in Canberra 

Donald Trump wanted regime change in Iran and to personally choose who the next leader would be. Instead, Iran's top clerics chose Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after he was killed in US-Israeli strikes.Today, Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Centre on what this appointment means for the war.Featured: Barbara Slavin, distinguished fellow at the Stimson Centre in Washington D.C.

Can you believe the construction of a high speed rail network could start in just two years? Scepticism is not unwarranted because we've been talking about fast train travel for decades, but it's never happened because it basically costs too much.  Today, Joe Langley, an urban planner who worked on the Gillard government's study of high speed rail and who is a member of the advocacy body the Australian High Speed Rail Association. Featured: Joe Langley, urban planner and member of the Australian High Speed Rail Association

One of Donald Trump's stated reasons for going to war with Iran is to destroy the nuclear threat he says it poses.  But by starting the conflict has he made the world less safe? There are concerns around what happens to Iran's enriched nuclear material and the lessons other countries will take from Iran's being hit while remaining at the threshold short of getting a bomb.Today, Kelsey Davenport from the Arms Control Association on why it could all lead to more nuclear weapons around the world.Featured: Kelsey Davenport, Director for Nonproliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association

It's been less than a week since the war in Iran began but it's already having an economic impact here.Oil and gas prices are rising and that has the Reserve Bank worried about inflation and analysts warn that could mean more interest rate hikes. Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on why we're so economically vulnerable to a conflict so far away and what we can expect in the weeks ahead.  Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondent

The Iran war is expanding and already having ripple effects across the globe.How long will it last? US President Donald Trump says a month or longer, “whatever it takes”.Today, we speak to Rana Dadpour who fled the brutal Iranian regime in 2012 and founded the group Australian United Solidarity for Iran.We also speak with international relations expert Rajan Menon about why this could be a long war. Featured: Rana Dadpour, founder of Australian United Solidarity for IranRajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York and a senior research fellow at the Saltzman Institute at Columbia University

Donald Trump says the war with Iran will continue until all his goals are achieved and he's warned more US troops are likely to die.But if one of the aims is regime change in Iran, can the US president achieve that without troops on the ground? The war is escalating in the region with Israel beginning strikes on the Iran-linked militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon's capital Beirut, after it launched missiles towards Israel. Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on why the war is unlikely to go as Trump planned and the nightmare scenarios. Featured: Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute

For weeks Donald Trump threatened Iran with military strikes and on Saturday morning in Iran the bombing by US and Israeli forces began.He says Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.In a social media video, the US president urged the Iranian people to rise up and topple the regime.Iran has responded by targeting Israel and US military bases across the region with drones and missiles, hitting targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar. Today, Nate Swanson, Iran expert at the Atlantic Council on what could come next. Featured: Nate Swanson, senior fellow and director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council

They tried to stop it happening, but Bill and Hillary Clinton had no choice in the end but to testify or face jail time.  The political power couple is being hauled before a US congressional investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Today, David Smith from the United States Studies Centre at Sydney University on what we can expect from their depositions.   Featured: David Smith, associate professor at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney

US President Donald Trump spent almost two hours outlining what he believes to be a myriad of achievements on the economy and immigration. It's the longest State of the Union address ever recorded.  But has the US president convinced voters that his first year in office has been a raging success and can he turn his tanking popularity around before the mid-term elections in November.  Today, Emma Shortis, a US politics expert at the progressive think tank, the Australia Institute, on Trump's State of the Union address.  Featured: Emma Shortis, Director of the Australia Institute's International & Security Affairs Program

The possible return home of a group of so-called ‘ISIS brides' from Syria has caused a political storm.But why? Given similar groups of women and children have been returned in the past by both the Albanese and Morrison governments? Today, Adam Harvey, reporter for the ABC's 7.30 program, joins us to discuss his 2019 reporting as a foreign correspondent on the ground in the Syrian camp where the Australians were living. He spoke with some of the Australian women at the time. Adam also looks at the current debate and what happens if the group is successful in getting home. Featured: Adam Harvey, 7.30 reporter

The US Supreme Court has ruled that most of Donald Trump's tariffs are illegal. So, will President Trump give back to Australian companies the millions of dollars they've already lost?What does the new 15 percent global tariff mean for the global economy? Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the latest tariff chaos.Featured: Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondent

They used to be known as personal assistants, now you can just get an AI agent to plan your day, answer your emails and organise your life. But what are the risks around handing over control of your data, messages and payment methods to the latest wave of artificial intelligence tools?Today, computer security expert at Melbourne University Shaanan Cohney on how AI agents work and how close we are to AI taking our jobs. Featured: Dr Shaanan Cohney, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security and Deputy Head for the School of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has spent about 10 hours of his 66th birthday in police custody as they investigate whether the former prince shared government secrets with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. King Charles has tried to distance himself from the man who remains eighth in line to the throne. But can the royal family survive this scandal?Today, the ABC's Annabel Crabb on what happens when the justice system comes for the King's brother.Featured: Annabel Crabb, ABC writer and presenter

It's a case that's captivated America and grabbed headlines around the world. The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Australian-born US Today show host Savannah Guthrie.The 84-year-old has been missing for more than three weeks and the mystery only deepened with the release of eerie doorbell footage showing a masked person at her door.Today, we speak to former FBI profiler, Mary Ellen O'Toole, who spent her career studying the criminal mind.  She tells us why it's not likely a burglary gone wrong and what she sees in the demeanour of the masked figure. Featured: Mary Ellen O'Toole, former FBI profiler and currently director of the forensic science program at George Mason University

When Coles told you that prices were “Down Down”, were they really? That's a matter now before the Federal Court with the competition watchdog, the ACCC, arguing consumers have been misled and it needs to end. Today, consumer affairs reporter Michael Atkin on what we've heard in the case so far and how Coles defends its practices. Featured: Michael Atkin, ABC consumer affairs reporter

Could we solve the housing crisis in Australia by increasing taxes on the extremely rich and targeting mining giants' profits? Today, British economist, former trader and YouTube star Gary Stevenson on why a wealth tax could work to end growing inequality and fix our housing problem. He explains why rising inequality could lead to deteriorating living standards and leave Australians living in slums. Featured: Gary Stevenson, economist and host of Gary's Economics

Donald Trump says it's a scam to say that climate change is a threat to public health. So, the US president has killed off a scientific finding that says it is.The so-called endangerment finding was the basis for nearly all climate laws in the US.Now it's gone, the White House hopes dirty industries can flourish again, including America's petrol car manufacturers. Today, ANU climate expert, Christian Downie on what happens when one of the world's largest polluters gives up on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Featured: Christian Downie, professor in the school of regulation and global governance at the Australian National University

We know Donald Trump doesn't like losing elections and the US president is still claiming that the 2020 poll was rigged and stolen. Now with the midterm elections just eight months away there's concern he's trying to fiddle with the voting system.Today, Professor Rick Hasen from UCLA on Trump's tactics and whether he can get away with meddling with US democracy. Featured: Rick Hasen, Professor of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project

Sussan Ley has lost the Liberal leadership.The partyroom voted to dump its first female leader after she's been in the role for just nine months.Angus Taylor now has the mammoth task of turning around some of the worst polling in the Liberal Party's history and stopping One Nation from stealing more of its voters. Today, Niki Savva, political commentator and author and former advisor to Prime Minister John Howard, on the leadership spill and whether the Coalition has any chance of returning to government. Featured: Niki Savva, political commentator and author of Earthquake: The Election that Shook Australia

Donald Trump was Jeffrey Epstein's one time friend and his name appears countless times in the Epstein files. But it's not the US president who's currently fighting for his political survival.Instead, it's the British leader Keir Starmer who's on very shaky ground, even though he's not in the documents.   Today, professor of politics at Deakin University, Simon Tormey, on how he became so deeply embroiled in the controversy. Featured: Simon Tormey, Executive Dean of Arts and Education and Professor of Politics at Deakin University

Six years ago, ASIO had the Bondi shooter Naveed Akram under investigation. So why did the spy agency determine in 2020 that the alleged terrorist didn't pose a serious threat and was that an intelligence failure? The spy boss Mike Burgess stands by his agency's assessment.But a former spy has told the ABC he met the father and son years ago and had concerns they were radicalised.Today, Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop on his Four Corners investigation into what was known about Naveed Akram and his father Sajid before they killed 15 people at Bondi beach. Featured: Sean Rubinsztein-Dunlop, ABC investigative reporter

The protesters came in force, but what began peacefully descended into chaos. Around 6,000 people had gathered to condemn the visit to Sydney by the Israeli president but there were violent clashes with police after they were ordered to disperse.Today, law professor Luke McNamara from the University of New South Wales on the new protest laws brought in after the Bondi attack and why he thinks the Labor government has gone too far. Featured: Luke McNamara, Professor in the Faculty of Law and Justice and the University of New South Wales

After the horrific Bondi terrorist attack Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invited the Israeli president to come to Australia.It's a visit welcomed by prominent Jewish groups, but President Isaac Herzog is a controversial figure. Opponents, including some pro-Palestinian and human rights activists take issue with his past comments about Gaza and his role in representing the state of Israel. New South Wales authorities are trying to block any marches through Sydney, but protesters are vowing to press ahead.Today, ABC Global Affairs Editor Laura Tingle on the controversy surrounding the visit.  Featured: Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor

Demand for home batteries in Australia has taken off, with a generous government subsidy prompting more people to add power storage to their solar panel set up. More people installed a battery in the second half of last year than during the previous five years. Renewable power generation also made up half of the nation's power supply last quarter.Today, Tony Wood from the Grattan Institute on what the surge in home batteries and renewables in the grid means for everyone's power bills now and into the future.Featured: Tony Wood, Energy and Climate Change Senior Fellow at Grattan Institute 

The Canadian prime minister wants us to give up on the international rules based order, which he bluntly says is fiction and he's urged middle power countries to unite. As Donald Trump continues to up-end US foreign policy, what does Mark Carney mean and where does Australia fit in? Today, Samir Puri, the author of Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing, on the significance of Carney's words and why, even when Trump is gone, the world will have changed forever. Featured: Samir Puri, author of Westlessness: The Great Global Rebalancing and former director of Chatham House's Centre for Global Governance and Security 

Ever since Donald Trump's Liberation Day tariffs were announced in April last year, the price of gold has been rising.Its price is about 80 percent higher than it was a year ago and it's still near its all time record after a recent sell off.So, what's been moving the price of gold and what does it say about investor's faith in the US and global economy? Today, business correspondent David Taylor on why Australians have been queuing to buy the shiny metal and where the price could go next. Featured: David Taylor, ABC business correspondent

The Reserve Bank cut the cash rate target three times last year, but already there's a U-turn. The RBA board is so concerned about inflation sticking around that it has increased interest rates for the first time since 2023.Today, the ABC's finance expert Alan Kohler on the RBAs failure to bring inflation down to its target and the mistakes it made in 2025. Featured: Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert

There are three million files and thousands of mentions of Donald Trump.  But the US president says the latest batch of the Epstein files clears him, while the US Department of Justice says there's no need for any further investigation. But is that really the end of it? Today, David Smith from the United States Studies Centre at Sydney University on what the latest files mean for Trump and others and why millions of documents are still hidden. Featured: David Smith, associate professor at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney

There's turmoil at the top of the Chinese military with President Xi Jinping removing some of his most experienced generals. He sacked two key figures, accusing them of corruption, raising questions about the timeline for his ambition to take over Taiwan. Today, China expert Neil Thomas from the Asia Society Policy Institute on what Xi Jinping is up to. Featured: Neil Thomas, fellow on Chinese Politics at the Center for China Analysis at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington DC

We know he loves McDonald's but why is Donald Trump so passionate about full cream milk?Whole milk has become an obsession for the US president and his health secretary RFK Jr who thinks everyone should be drinking it. Today, Yasmin Tayag from The Atlantic on milk and why the Trump administration has turned the food pyramid on its head. Featured: Yasmin Tayag, staff writer at The Atlantic

One Nation's support is surging.That's according to successive opinion polls this year which have Pauline Hanson's party with a primary vote higher than it's ever been. Today, Tony Barry, director at the Redbridge Group and former Liberal Party strategist on the voters expressing support for One Nation, whether it will translate into actual votes and why the major parties need to take notice. Featured: Tony Barry, director at RedBridge Group

Donald Trump is finally trying to temper the ICE crackdown in Minneapolis which has seen the shooting deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents.But why did he let it go so far in the first place? Today, Claire Finkelstein, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania on what Trump's really trying to achieve and why the events mirror the lead up to a civil war. Featured: Claire Finkelstein, professor of law and professor of philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania

Donald Trump says he needs Greenland. He's suggested he could buy it and he threatened tariffs on nations that didn't support his quest to take it. Now he's dropped the tariff threat after negotiations and he's ruled out using military force. The US president's approach to Greenland might be erratic but it's all in line with his foreign policy aim to reorder the world. Today, Monica Duffy Toft from the Fletcher School at Tufts University on Trump's bid to control the Western Hemisphere.Featured: Monica Duffy Toft, Professor of International Politics and Director of the Center for Strategic Studies at the Fletcher School at Tufts University in Boston

Elon Musk's AI tool, Grok, has caused global outrage after it made it really easy to virtually undress people via AI image editing. Musk's competitor to ChatGPT is integrated into the social media platform X and earlier this month users started asking it to do some pretty gross things. X was flooded with images of semi-naked women, with users able to reply to anyone's perfectly innocent picture and ask it to put them in a bikini, for example. While Musk initially downplayed the scandal and was slow to act, he's now put limits on the tool. But is that the end of the story and should X be banned?Today, Sam Cole, a tech journalist and co-founder of 404 Media on the Grok scandal and how it enabled the exploitation and abuse of women. Featured: Sam Cole, co-founder of 404 Media

For a second time since the election the Coalition has split. The Nationals walked out after a number of its senators crossed the floor to vote against hate speech laws this week.  The Liberals and opposition leader Sussan Ley sided with the government to pass the legislation, but key Nationals raises concerns about the rushed process and the impact on free speech. So, is this a moment of real change in conservative politics and could One Nation pick up a few more members? Today, David Speers, the ABC's national political lead and host of Insiders, on how the marriage fell apart once again. Featured: David Speers, ABC national political lead

Jessica Chapnik Kahn was there at Bondi on December 14th, shielding her daughter as shots were fired into a Jewish festival, killing 15 people.More than a month later, she's trying to find a way to live with what she went through and she says it's her heart that's guiding her.Today, on this National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, we hear Jessica's story and speak with Michael Visontay, a Sydney resident and commissioning editor of the Jewish Independent, about how the community is dealing with the aftermath of tragedy and the fractious political debate.  Featured:Jessica Chapnik Kahn, Bondi survivorMichael Visontay, The Jewish Independent commissioning editor

It's a busy time of the year at Australian beaches, but a stretch of the NSW coast has been shut down after a surge in shark attacks. A cluster of shark bites in Sydney has been linked to a surge in bacteria and faecal matter washed into the harbour and the ocean by recent rain. Today, Chris Pepin-Neff, an expert in shark policy from Sydney University on what led to the uptick in shark activity and what we can do to improve safety for swimmers and surfers. Featured: Chris Pepin-Neff, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Sydney and a shark policy expert

Greenland is one of Donald Trump's biggest obsessions right now.If you don't like his dream of the US taking over the self-governed island, which is part of Denmark, then you'll be punished. The president is now slapping tariffs on European nations pushing back against the idea.   Today, the ABC's global affairs editor Laura Tingle on how the UK and Europe will respond and what it means for the future of NATO.  Featured: Laura Tingle, ABC global affairs editor

Federal parliament returns early today and the prime minister has removed a racial vilification offence from Labor's proposed hate speech laws and will now deal with restrictions on guns in a separate bill.Anthony Albanese had to change course after the bill came under huge criticism from the Greens and the federal opposition, with leader Sussan Ley describing it as half-baked and unsalvageable. The bill came after the Bondi attack in a bid to stamp out antisemtism. So, what was in the doomed bill? And was it really that bad? Today, Professor Kath Gelber, an expert in regulating hate speech from the University of Queensland, on the problems she saw in the government's bill. Editor's note: Organisers of August's pro-Palestinian protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge estimated 300,000 were there. The police estimate on the day was 90,000 people and the NSW Premier has said more than 100,000 attended. Featured: Professor Kath Gelber, Deputy Executive Dean and Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Queensland